Bengaluru: In a show of support to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, more than 30 seers of different mutts met him in Bengaluru as the issue of leadership change gained momentum in the state.

The seers of Lingayat and other mutts unanimously supported Yediyurappa saying the change of guard at this juncture will hamper the BJP's prospects in the 2023 assembly elections.

Dingaleshwar Swamiji said, "CM said that he isn't in a position to say much but will bow his head to whatever decision the High Command takes. But the concern of Mutt heads is that in this state if BJP is in power, it's because of the efforts of BS Yediyurappa and his close subordinates.'

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Surprisingly, Congress leaders are also supporting Yediyurappa's leadership. Akhila Bharath Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha President and senior Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa said the Lingayat community is with Yediyurappa. Also, he cautioned, being Congress leader, if BJP unseats Yediyurappa as chief minister the community will move forward and will finish the BJP.

“Lingayat community will completely backed Mr. Yediyurappa. It is not appropriate to change the Yediyurappa from CM post since he is doing good job”, Mr. Shamanuru said. 

Yediyurappa is the only serving BJP leader in the country who is well above 75 years of age. In 2019, the party high command decided not to give poll tickets to those above 75 years of age. After Yediyurappa's Delhi visit, rumours are doing rounds of the new chief minister for the state.