Kalaburagi, 29 June 

Another prominent Veerashaiva-Lingayat seer on Saturday pitched for a leader from the community to be considered for the Chief Minister's post in case there is a leadership change or in the event of the creation of additional Deputy Chief Minister posts in Karnataka.

Balehonnur Rambhapuri seer Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swamy said this a day after Srisaila Jagadguru Channa Siddharama Panditaradhya Swamiji made a similar demand.

The demand from Veershaiva-Lingayat seers came after Vokkaliga seer -- Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math, on Thursday raised the pitch for Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar as CM during Kempegowda Jayanti event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bengaluru's founder. CM Siddaramaiah was present on the dais at the event.

Warning his party men against making public statements on CM and DCM issue in the interest of the party, Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress President earlier had requested seers not to interfere in political matters.

"In case there is a situation to change (CM), in the election the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community has supported Congress. Those heading the government should not see Veerashaiva-Lingayat's contribution to Congress with neglect," Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swamiji said.

Speaking to reporters, he pointed out that Veerendra Patil, a leader from the community, was replaced in the middle of his term as Chief Minister, and this had in a way turned the community against the party.

"Veerashaiva-Lingayats have been given positions in the cabinet just for namesake, this should not happen," he added.

He also advised Congress high command to take a strong stand and curtail such developments that cause divisions within the party, so that good can be done for people. "Or else, because of internal squabble the administrative system may get affected and thereby hampering the developmental activities."

The comments of the seers have come amid demand by a few ministers, believed to be close to Siddaramaiah, to have three more Deputy Chief Ministers, from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities.

Shivakumar is a Vokkaliga -- a dominant community in the southern parts of the State.

A section within Congress is of the opinion that the statement by the ministers seeking three more Deputy CMs, was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah's camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks he might seek CM post after two-and-half years of this government's tenure, and to counter his influence both in the government and party. PTI