Karnataka elections 2023: The powerful mutts that can influence voters

Adichunchanagiri to Kanka Guru Peeta, there are several mutts that are considered as power centres in the state.

Religious leaders and mutts play a key role in Karnataka politics by influencing people from its community to cast their votes.

Almost every community and sub-community have their own religious gurus and mutts. Hence, it is not surprising to see political leaders making a beeline to meet them, especially during elections.

There are times when seers of mutts had taken political stand. Notably when BS Yediyurappa was forced to resign during his second term as the Chief Minister. Also, some Vokkaliga mutts had put its weight behind HD Kumaraswamy when his coalition government lost the vote of confidence in 2019.

As the stage is setting for the Karnataka elections, let's take a look at prominent mutts in the state.

Siddaganga Mutt

Siddaganga Mutt is one of the prominent religious places in the state where national and state leaders ensure to visit during election times. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, from BS Yediyurappa to self-proclaimed atheist Siddaramaiah, leaders visit the mutt to take the blessings of the seer.

It was quite common to see leaders making a beeline to take blessings of late Dr Shivakumara Swami, the head of the Siddaganga Mutt, who passed away in 2019. It is now headed by Siddalinga Swamiji. Lingayat community, which constitutes 17 per cent of the state population (14 per cent according to leaked caste census), holds this place in high regards. So, it is not surprising to see leaders visiting the place.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt

Adichunchanagiri Mutt is considered as a power centre because of its influence on Vokkaligas who make up for 11 per cent population in Karnataka. Although the mutt has never openly supported any party, it is believed that it had backed JD (S) and Congress in the past. However, things have changed in the recent years and the BJP has been trying its best make inroads in the old Mysuru region. The saffron party has been wooing the community through frequent meets with Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, the 72nd Pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math.

Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt

The BJP leaders often visit to Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi. This mutt is managed by eight mutts and this is a prominent place for Brahmins, especially Vaishnavites. As Brahmins have historically voted for the BJP, Congress and JD(S) leaders do not visit this place like the way they visit Siddaganga or Adichunchanagiri mutts. Also, Brahmins have just three per cent population as per the leaked caste census and this is one of the reasons why leaders from other parties do not visit this mutt. It has to be noted that Udupi seer late Vishwesha Teertha had associated with Ram Janma movement, yet commanded respect from leaders cutting across party lines.

Madara Guru Peeta

Basavamurthy Madara Channaiah heads Madara Guru Peeta. It is a place of worship of marginalised Madiga community. Scheduled Castes form 16.2% of Karnataka's population and one report claims that Madigas have 1.5 crore population in Karnataka. In the recent history, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had visited the mutt.

Kanaka Guru Peeta

It belongs to Kuruba community, which accounts for 7 per cent of the state population. It is the third largest caste in the state and Siddaramaiah belongs to this caste. Rahul Gandhi and Amit Shah had earlier visited the mutt.

Siddaramaiah had tried to unite Kurubas with other backward classes, minorities, Dalits and Muslims through Ahinda as the combined vote share of the said communities is 47.5 per cent of total population.

In addition to the aforementioned mutts, Murugarajendra Mutt, Sirigere Taralabalu Brihanmutt, Moorusavira Mutt, Spatikapuri Mutt, Suttur Mutt and Sringeri Mutt are some of the prominent mutts in the state.