As the polling day for Karnataka Assembly elections draws near, political parties have chalked out plans to reach out to people. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopes to make a big impact as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address about 20 rallies in Karnataka to boost the saffron party's campaign in a state where his party is locked in a keen fight with the Congress. Lingayat community support could make a big difference for BJP's fortune in the state. Going by the recent development after Congress party announced minority status to the Lingayat, BJP leaders have a serious problem at hand.  

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The Rashtriya Basava Sena on Tuesday claimed that the Lingayat community in poll-bound Karnataka no longer sees former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as a leader.

"Lingayats are not very supportive of BJP. This is mainly because, in spite of many people bagging seats in 2014, not many ministers were appointed to the central cabinet. While the BJP has indicated Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate, Lingayats do not see him as a leader and have no faith in him anymore. They are more supportive of incumbent chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has been a follower of Basava philosophy for many years," Rashtriya Basava Sena General Secretary AP Basavaraj told ANI.

Ahead of the Assembly polls in Karnataka, the Siddaramaiah-led government in March had declared minority status to the Lingayat community.

However, the move was seen by many, including the Opposition, as one to garner votes in favour of the Congress Party. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12.  The results will be out on May 15.