Bengaluru: The All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha has urged the Karnataka government to ensure greater representation for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Addressing a press conference, National Youth Wing president Venkata Reddy D. Patil said ministers from the community had played a significant role in the previous government, contributing to development, environmental protection, welfare initiatives and economic growth.
Highlighting the community’s influence in Karnataka, Patil said the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community had extended substantial support to the Congress during the Assembly elections and therefore deserved adequate representation in the new cabinet. He demanded that at least eight ministerial berths be allotted to leaders from the community.
Patil also welcomed the possibility of a Veerashaiva-Lingayat leader being appointed Deputy Chief Minister. He said the community would be particularly pleased if senior Congress leader and Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre is considered for the post.
In addition, the Mahasabha urged the government to nominate a representative from the community to the Legislative Council and recommend another for a Rajya Sabha seat.
The organisation argued that providing appropriate representation to the community would strengthen the Congress party’s prospects ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.
Patil reiterated that the National Youth Wing of the Mahasabha would continue to support the Congress while advocating for the interests and representation of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
