With Marathas on the threshold of elections, now the government has written a prelude to woo Lingayat votes. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the installation of a new Basavanna idol in Kundanagari. By this they have secured Lingayat votes.

As the assembly elections are approaching, CM Basavaraj Bommai’s government has developed a great love for great men. Recently, CM Bommai had dedicated Shivaji idol in Belgaum Rajahansagad fort and tried to attract Maratha votes. Because of this, CM Bommai was targeted by the Kannadigas including the Lingayat community. CM Bommai has done damage control. The 15 feet high statue in Belgaum South constituency costed around 30lakhs.

Basavanna’s statue laying ceremony was witnessed by the BJP MLAs Abhay Patil, Anil Benake, Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, MP Eranna Kadadi and other BJP leaders. During the election, CM Bommai government has tried to woo Lingayat votes in 18 constituencies of Belgaum district. The government of CM Bommai has responded to the demand of Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha during the elections and is ready to implement it. Speaking on the same occasion, CM Bommayi praised the ideas of Basavanna.

CM Basavanna’s statue installation weapon trial to strengthen Lingayat votes is not limited to Belagavi district anymore. CM Bommai has announced that the government will install a 108 feet tall statue of Basavanna on the banks of river Ghataprabha keeping in mind North Karnataka. Through this, the CM has tried the weapon of Basavanna’s idol installation to strengthen the Lingayat votes along with the Maratha votes.

In the run-up to the elections, Congress BJP leaders are using idols of great men as a weapon to woo Maratha Lingayat votes. It remains to be seen how much this will affect the electorate after the election results.