Laxman Savadi (L), Jagadish Shettar (R)

 

BENGALURU: When JD(S) led by HD Kumaraswamy refused to hand over the reins to BJP and BS Yediyurappa under their agreement to share the chief ministership for 20 months each in 2007, it hurt Yediyurappa’s supporters, especially Veerashaiva Lingayats.
In assembly polls the following year, the community rallied behind Yediyurappa and it resulted in BJP forming its first government in Karnataka.