Veerashaiva Lingayats not Hindu, Vijayendra must accept it: MB Patil

Davanagere: Minister for large and medium-scale industries and infrastructure development MB Patil said the Akhil Bharath Veerashaiva Mahasabha and the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha were negotiating on the question of an independent religion and said BJP state president BY Vijayendra should accept that Veerashaiva Lingayats are not Hindu.Speaking to reporters here Sunday, Patil denied giving any clarification on the Lingayat independent religion movement of the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha. He said the two organisations were seeking to resolve the issue through negotiations.Patil said the Akhil Bharath Veerashaiva Mahasabha, led by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, had decided at a mega convention that Veerashaiva Lingayats were not Hindus, in the presence of the Pancha Peetadishwaras. "BJP president Vijayendra and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa were on the same dais. Both leaders should accept that Veerashaiva Lingayats are not Hindu," he said.However, he added that he did not agree that the Jagatika Lingayat Mahasabha was accepted as Veerashaiva or that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were the same.Patil claimed that Congress fought for the country's independence, while BJP leaders acted like agents of the British in pre-Independence India. He said BJP leaders had no role in the freedom movement and said Congress contributed to securing Independence.He also said Congress had initiated several public welfare programmes, while the BJP-led central government had pursued what he described as anti-people policies over the last 11 years, including demonetisation, price rise and inflation. He said the NDA govt led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not reduce fuel prices even when crude oil prices fell.Patil said Davanagere district was known for infrastructure and development under Shamanur Shivashankarappa and said this would help Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur win.