If all goes in line with the plan of some religious heads, the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll could see a dozen saffron-clad swamijis jumping into the fray in Karnataka.
Pranavanand Swamy, who was in limelight a few days ago for trying to end his life by consuming poison while protesting against the scheduled Ben Hinn programme, said on Wednesday that as many as 12 mutt pontiffs would be contesting the Lok Sabha polls from various constituencies in Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters in Dharwad, he said the decision for mutt pontiffs and seers entering the political fray was taken recently at a meeting held at Mahamane in Dharwad taluk.
Pontiffs of various mutts have decided to contest the election with an objective to raise their voice in the Parliament to protect the Hindu religion.
The pontiffs have also met BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and expressed their decision to support him (Modi) in the forthcoming general election.
The BJP high command has also been asked to give ticket to Sriram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik to contest from Dharwad constituency, he added.
Of the 12 pontiffs who have decided to enter poll fray, the names of six seers have been finalised.
The seers include, Basavalinga Mahaswami, Basavanand Swamy, Basavaraj Devaru, Tipperu-draswamy of Chitradurga, Shambugiri Swamy and himself.
Pranavananda Swamy has also urged the state government to initiate legal action against sub-inspector of district reserve police Gangappa Hegadi who has been accused in several cases of cheating and assaults. He further said he would launch an agitation of the authorities failed to act against the accused Gangappa and call for Dharwad district bandh.
