Taking up new challenges: Seers lobbying for Assembly tickets in Karnataka

In an interesting turn of events, the Karnataka politics is witnessing seers chasing the politicians for party tickets. With Yogi Adityanath becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, many holy men in Karnataka are also looking towards the same path.

One of the eight seers at the ancient Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi, Lakshmivara Theertha Swamy of Shirur Mutt has already announced his plunge into politics declaring that he would be contesting as an Independent candidate if the BJP does not offer him a ticket from Udupi. 

Even though the seer has been a part of several controversies and not known for following the life of an ascetic strictly, he is facing opposition from the remaining seers of Udupi Mutt, including L K Advani and Uma Bharti’s spiritual guru Vishesha Theertha Swamy.

He, however, strongly defended the decision to contest the elections and added that seers can serve the people better.

Another seer, Rajashekharananda Swamy of Vajradehi Mutt near Mangalore also wished to contest in the upcoming elections from Mangalore North. 

He went on to say that there was nothing wrong with monks wearing saffron robes and aspiring to be khadi-clad politicians.

A seer of the Dalits, Madara Channaiah Swamy is working for the BJP ticket from Holalkere (Reserved) seat in Chitradurga district.

A Lingayat seer from Dharwad district, Basavananda Swamy also wants to contest on BJP ticket in Kalaghatagi Assembly seat near Dharwar.

Meanwhile, not all seers are attempting to take the BJP route as Paramananda Ramarudha Swamy from Bilagi in Bagalkote district is trying for the JDS ticket. Congress too has seers trying out their luck with Lingayat seer Prabhu Channabasava Swamy of Motagi Mutt in Belgaum district appealing for the party ticket from Athani seat.