Panchamasali leaders seek cabinet berth for Vijayanand Kashappanavar in new Karnataka government

Bengaluru: Leaders of the Karnataka State Veerashaiva Lingayat-Panchamasali Sangha and supporters of MLA Vijayanand S. Kashappanavar on Sunday urged the Congress leadership to include the young legislator in the new state cabinet, citing the community’s representation and contribution to the party.

At a press conference held in Bengaluru, community leaders said the Panchamasali Lingayat community expects adequate representation in the new government and demanded key positions, including a deputy chief minister’s post and ministerial berths.

Speaking on the occasion, former state president of the Karnataka State Veerashaiva Lingayat-Panchamasali Sangha, Basavaraj Dindura, said the community constitutes a significant section of Karnataka’s population and has historically played an important role in the state’s social, agricultural and political landscape.

He expressed disappointment over what he described as inadequate representation of the community in successive governments and called for greater participation in the new cabinet.

The leaders specifically pitched for MLA Vijayanand S. Kashappanavar, describing him as a young leader capable of bringing innovation and fresh ideas to governance. They also highlighted the political background of his family and their long association with the Congress party.

Community representatives said the inclusion of Kashappanavar in the ministry would not only strengthen youth representation but also address the aspirations of the Panchamasali community.

The delegation stated that it had already submitted a memorandum to senior Congress leaders and hoped the party leadership would consider their demand while finalising the cabinet. They added that if necessary, they would also approach senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to press for greater representation of the community in the government.

Several community leaders and office-bearers of the organisation were present at the press conference.