Belagavi
We have fought for reservation for Panchamasali samaj across party lines. I have become a Minister with the blessings of the society and the people of the constituency. Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said, there is now an opportunity to act as a link between the society and the government. She was speaking to the media after participating in the ongoing agitation for reservation in Nippani, receiving a memorandum on behalf of the government.
I spoke to the Chief Minister yesterday and have come to accept the request regarding reservation for Panchamasali samaj. I had told the Chief Minister that I would accept the request on behalf of the government. He told me to proceed. The reservation issue will be discussed as there is a meeting tomorrow. Earlier, a delegation of samaj leaders had met the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister and presented the society’s argument, which was heard by the two with interest, he said.
On the other hand, the previous government gave in to our struggle and gave  reservation at the last minute. But the reservation was confusing. And since the matter is sub-judice, we have started the protest by performing Ishtalinga Puja from Nippani on Sunday demanding that the new Congress government give us 2A reservation, said Jagadguru Basava Jayamrutyunjaya Swamiji of Panchamasali Peetham.
Speaking to media persons after blocking the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway at Nippani and offering Ishtalinga Puja, he said the Lingayat Panchamasali samaj has voted for the formation of the present government. The people of our society have voted for the Congress because the government gave reservation late last time. Â .
