Karnataka minister Eshwar B Khandre elected president of apex Lingayat body

Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre was on Tuesday unanimously elected president of the All India Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha, considered the apex body of the state’s dominant Lingayat community.

At a meeting held in Bengaluru, the Mahasabha’s executive committee resolved to appoint Khandre to the position left vacant following the demise of its previous president, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, in December last year. Khandre had previously been the national general secretary of the Mahasabha for 13 years.

His father Bheemanna Khandre, who died last week, had also served as the president of the Mahasabha.

Speaking after his election, Khandre announced plans for a hostel accommodating 1,000 women students from the community in Bengaluru, with completion targeted within 18 months. While several district centers already have Veerashaiva-Lingayat Bhavans, efforts will be made to construct the Bhavans in districts without one. “These centres will also provide training for competitive exams conducted by the Public Service Commission,” he said.