Influence of heads of religious institutions in Karnataka's BJP govt

Mail Today, 16 July 2011

Yeddyurappa puts seer pressure on land buyers

By Aravind Gowda in Bangalore

BSY bows to pressure from swamis & tells MNCs to secure their go- ahead before acquiring land

IT’S NOT an exaggeration to say that Karnataka’s scam- tainted chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa relies extensively on the chiefs of leading Lingayat Mutts and heads of other religious institutions for his survival.

A case in point is the state government adding yet another tier to the multi- layered process for the MNCs to get clearance for setting up industries in the state.

To facilitate the acquisition of agricultural land and set up mega projects in Karnataka, the companies would now need to go through another round of clearance: seers and pontiffs. The decision is likely to discourage a large number of potential investors.

In the past week, chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa — under pressure from the seers and heads of religious institutions — decided to put on hold the government’s plans to acquire agricultural lands for high- profile industrial projects like the Posco steel venture in Gadag district and SEZ project in Mangalore. In the process, acquisition of more than 5,000 acres has been dropped by the government.

While the acquisition of 2,035 acres for the Mangalore SEZ project was dropped on Thursday following a fast- unto- death threat by the powerful Vishweshateertha Swami of the Udupi Pejawar Mutt, the government decided not to go ahead with the acquisition of 3,100 acres in Gadag district for the Posco project after the farmers, led by the local Lingayat Mutt ( Tontadarya Mutt) pontiff Siddalinga Swami, launched an agitation.

The CM’s stand has disappointed many investors. “ We were hoping that the government would facilitate easy acquisition of lands. But this is like directing the industrialists to seek clearance of the seers and religious heads before approaching the government. It will hinder investments,” a Mangalore SEZ project investor complained.

Once the state government approves any project, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board ( KIADB) commences the land acquisition process. Over the past two years, land acquisition by KIADB has run into hurdles. Interestingly, farmers have sought the support of heads of religious institutions to oppose the acquisition since the government responds to such moves with alacrity. As a result, many seers are heading various agitations against land acquisition in the state.

In the past week, Yeddyurappa has yielded to the pressure from two Mutts — the ever- powerful Udupi Pejawar Mutt and the Tontadarya Mutt, one of the influential Lingayat Mutts in central Karnataka.

The CM may have bowed down to the two seers over a genuine problem ( forcible acquisition of agricultural land for industrial projects). But himself being a Lingayat, he has not hesitated in hobnobbing with the leading seers of his community or the Mutts they head, such as Suttur Mutt and Siddaganga Mutt, in the times of distress.

Among all the Mutts supporting Yeddyurappa, the Pejawar Mutt is an exception. Its head, Vishweshateertha Swami, is close to the BJP’s national leaders and the RSS top brass. He openly endorses Hindutva ideology and has often openly supported Yeddyurappa. Earlier this year, when there was tremendous pressure on the BJP’s central leadership to axe the CM on the charges of corruption, Vishweshateertha had prevailed upon the party’s national leadership.

“ It is clear that Yeddyurappa wants to please the heads of the religious institutions... so that they can pay him back in kind in the times of distress,” former CM H. D. Kumaraswamy claimed.

Taking potshots at Yeddyurappa, he added, “ I wish Yeddyurappa had respected the farmers’ stand rather than bowing to the pressure of the seers.

In the Mangalore SEZ case, he succumbed to the Pejawar seer’s pressure and in the Posco project case he had to bow to his community’s pontiff. The farmers would have lauded Yeddyurappa had he dropped the land acquisition much before these seers intervened.” But Yeddyurappa has been candid in displaying his soft spot towards the pontiffs. “ I have to respect the sentiments of the farmers as well as heads of religious institutions. I cannot overlook the seers’ suggestions and requests,” he said.

The CM’s proximity to the powerful Lingayat Mutts has distanced other leaders from these religious institutions.

Recently, former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda openly criticised these Mutts for backing Yeddyurappa to the hilt despite the allegations of corruption against him. He even declared that he would not visit any of these Mutts.

DIVINE TOUCH HITS INVESTORS

The state govt wants the MNCs wishing to set up projects in Karnataka to seek clearance from seers and pontiffs before acquiring land from the farmers

CM B. S. Yeddyurappa had last week put on hold plans to acquire land for the Posco venture in Gadag district and SEZ project in Mangalore

The acquisition of 2,035 acres for the Mangalore SEZ project was dropped after Vishweshateertha Swami of Udupi Pejawar Mutt threatened a fast unto death

The acquisition of 3,100 acres in Gadag for the Posco project was stopped after Lingayat Mutt pontiff Siddalinga Swami intervened