Seer Backs DK Shivakumar for Chief Minister, Says He Deserves the Post Despite Long “Suffering”

A prominent Vokkaliga seer in Karnataka has declared that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should take over as the next Chief Minister of the state, stating that his support reflects not only personal conviction but also the broader sentiment within the Vokkaliga community.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, the pontiff of the Adichunchunagiri Math, expressed firm backing for Shivakumar. He said he was hopeful that the congress high command would take a “proper decision” considering Shivakumar’s decades of service, loyalty to the party, and long-standing contribution to state politics.

The remarks come at a time when the Karnataka government has completed half of its five-year term, stoking speculation over a possible change in leadership as internal power tussles intensify within the ruling Congress.

According to party insiders, there has been ongoing discussion about a supposed power-sharing agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar during the formation of the government in 2023.

Swamiji said the Math influences not only Vokkaliga followers but many outside the community as well.

He added that although Shivakumar has visited the Math multiple times, he has “never lobbied” for the Chief Minister’s post.

“People from our community voted in the 2023 Assembly Elections hoping that one among us would become Chief Minister. That did not happen then. There was hope that it would happen after 2.5 years, and even that now seems uncertain. If it does not happen, it will disappoint thousands of devotees of the Math,” Swamiji said, calling the ongoing leadership uncertainty “unhealthy for the state.”

He recalled that the Math had earlier endorsed Shivakumar for the CM post. “We had chosen him as our Chief Minister, but it did not materialise. We were told it would happen in two years, but even that has not happened. It made us sad,” he added.

While reiterating that governance should not be dictated by caste, Swamiji said the ultimate decision lies with the Congress high command. “Shivakumar should become Chief Minister after 2.5 years. This is my opinion and the opinion of devotees,” he said.

The seer further noted that many Vokkaliga leaders-including Kengal Hanumanthaiah, KC Reddy, HD Deve Gowda, SM Krishna, Sadananda Gowda, and HD Kumaraswamy-have previously led the state. Shivakumar, he said, has served the Congress like a “disciplined soldier” and deserves the opportunity to lead Karnataka.

Expressing confidence that Shivakumar enjoys “God’s blessings,” Swamiji said he believes the Congress high command will soon elevate him. “DK Shivakumar should be appointed Chief Minister by the high command,” he urged.

OBC Seer Counters Vokkaliga Seer’s Remarks

Soon after the Vokkaliga pontiff’s endorsement, prominent OBC seer Sri Niranjananandapuri Swamiji of the Kaginele Kanaka Gurupeetha offered a sharply contrasting opinion. He questioned whether religious leaders should play any role in political leadership decisions within a constitutional democracy.

“Does the Constitution allow Chief Ministers to be appointed based on the wishes of mutt seers? According to the Constitution, MLAs choose the Chief Minister. Therefore, MLAs-not seers-will decide the Chief Minister,” he said.