Karnataka elections 2018: Siddaganga mutt steers clear of politics

The famous Lingayat holy shrine Siddaganga mutt stayed clear of politics, denying support to any particular political party as the election atmosphere heats up in the state.

Siddalinga Swami, Siddaganga mutt (Lingayat) junior pontiff said, " The mutt only blesses politicians for their future endeavours and does not make any attempt to influence the voters." The junior pontiff, speaking on behalf of senior pontiff Shivakumar Swamiji, asserted that the mutt does not influence people to vote for a particular political party.

"We(mutt) only encourage voting, we don't ask anyone to choose a specific party. Constitution has given us the right to vote and we must exercise our franchise," Siddalinga Swami said.

However, he categorically said that communal polarization is not in the interest of the country.

"For the sake of political gains some people do(communal polarization), but it is not good for the country. We are all Indians, most important thing is we must become good humans, whoever we may be," he said.

Irrespective of caste and creed, state and national politicians make a beeline to pay obeisance to influential Siddaganga mutt pontiff. BJP chief Amit Shah and Congress Rahul Gandhi are prominent leaders who recently visited Siddaganga Mutt.