The Shivamogga district unit of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha has demanded that the Congress party appoint Eshwar Khandre, State president of the Mahasabha, as Deputy Chief Minister and offer a ministerial berth to B.K. Sangameshwara of Bhadravathi.At a press conference in Shivamogga on Tuesday, Rudramuni R. Sajjan, district president of the Mahasabha, said Mr. Khandre deserved the Deputy Chief Minister post given his tenure as Forest Minister. “Considering his service to the State, the party should appoint him as the Deputy Chief Minister,” he said.Mr. Sangameshwara, a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly, should also be inducted into the Cabinet, Mr. Sajjan added. He noted that Mr. Siddaramaiah had assured people in Bhadravathi during the 2023 election campaign that Mr. Sangameshwara would be given a ministerial position if elected.Meanwhile, the Shivamogga Zilla Kshatriya Maratha Samaja staged a protest at Gopi Circle demanding a Deputy Chief Minister post for Santosh Lad, who served as Labour Minister in the Mr. Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. Published - June 02, 2026 07:51 pm IST