Bengaluru: While the state Congress government’s move to accord a separate religious status to the Lingayats is being termed as an ‘election gimmick’ by the opposition ahead of the state polls, the move has garnered support for the party from senior Lingayat leaders.

Maate Mahadevi, the first female lingayat seer wields a considerable clout in Uttara Karnataka. She requested the Lingayat community to support Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress party in the upcoming elections.

During a meeting of Lingayat seers’ at Basava Bhavana here on Saturday, Maate Mahadevi expressed her fury against the Central government, BJP President Amit Shah and requested all to support CM Siddaramaiah without any hesitation.

Who is Amit Shah to reject the Lingayats’ separate religion proposal, she questioned.

However, many seers and BJP senior leaders have expressed anger against her.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recommended the report on separate religious status to the Lingayats, in spite of the opposition from Veerashaivas.

Lingayats/Veerashaivas, estimated to form 17 per cent of the state population, are considered the BJP’s traditional voter base.