BJP president Amit Shah on Monday commenced a two-day tour of Karnataka in which he aims to reach out to Lingayat and dalit religious leaders as the state is set to hold Assembly polls in the coming months.
On Monday, Shah visited Shivakumara Swami, leader of the Siddaganga Mutt. Shah, paying obeisance to Swami, described him as a “Walking God.”
On Tuesday, Shah will visit the Madara Chennaiah Mutt, which is associated with dalits.
He will visit mutts in Bekkinkal, Sirgere and Muruga. The BJP president will also meet farmers and traders.
Shah's visit comes a week after the Congress government of Siddaramaiah forwarded a recommendation to the Centre to confer the status of separate religion on the Lingayats, a move which has been politically contentious. Shah's visit is perceived to be aimed at attempting to win back support of the Lingayats.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had made it a point to interact with Hindu religious leaders during his frequent visits to Karnataka in the past two months.
(With agency inputs)