Lakshmivara Tirtha Swami of Shiroor Mutt submitted his nomination papers as an Independent candidate from Udupi Assembly constituency on Saturday.
He is the first among the seers of the Ashta mutts — the eight mutts of Udupi which propagate the Dwaita philosophy — to enter the electoral fray.
The seer was visibly in pain while offering prayers at the Sri Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple before submitting his papers. He was suffering from weakness and dehydration. Speaking to presspersons, he said he was expecting ticket from the BJP, but as it was not to be, he would contest as an Independent. But he added that he had full confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. “If I win, I will support Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah.”
“One side of me still feels the BJP will give me ticket as there are three more days to go before the nominations close. If not, I will carry on my fight as an Independent candidate. I am confident I will win. The people are on my side,” the seer said.
On the comment of BJP candidate from Udupi Raghupati Bhat that the seer was not a member of the BJP to receive ticket, he said he has been voting for the BJP for the past 40 years. “Anyone voting for the BJP for so long is like a member of the party,” he said.
The seer also dismissed the news being spread on social media that he had campaigned for the Congress in the 2013 Assembly elections. He said he had driven a motorcycle which had a Congress flag attached to it without him noticing it.
On whether he would withdraw from the contest if he is requested by Mr. Modi or Mr. Shah, the seer said: “I may think about it, but it is unlikely. My contesting will help Mr. Modi.”
