Agencies
BENGALURU, Apr 8: Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Math, a prominent Veerashaiva Lingayat seer, on Monday said he has decided to contest as an independent candidate from Dharwad segment in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Repeatedly targeting BJP's candidate from the segment and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, he accused him of "suppressing" Veerashaiva-Lingayat and other communities, and also misusing of the Lingayat maths and causing disrespect to them to stay in power. "I'm announcing my candidature as an independent candidate from the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency. As you are aware the national parties have announced their candidates and people in the Dharwad constituency and nearby segments feel that both parties have entered into election fixing like match fixing," Dingaleshwar Swami alleged. Responding to the his decision, Mr Joshi said: "There is no reaction to Dingaleshwar Swami...Whatever he says it is blessings for me." The seer also accused Congress of neglecting Lingayats after coming to power, and not giving suitable positions to leaders of calibre from the community.
Speaking to reporters here, he accused both national parties of having betrayed the people of the Dharwad constituency.
"While the two parties have fielded their candidates, voters of Dharwad have decided to field me as their candidate. This is a 'Dharma Yuddha' declared by those who value their dignity and 'Kaavidhaaris', against two national parties and selfish politicians," the Swami said, adding, he is entering politics to create political awareness among people.
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