Idgah row: Seer to meet corporators

hubli: efforts by pontiff of moorsaviramath, gangadhara rajayogindra swami, to find an amicable solution to the vexed idgah maidan issue seems to have entered into a crucial stage with the seer scheduled to hold a meeting with the hdmc corporators on tuesday to gather more opinion on the issue. reliable sources told the times of india that congress corporators, who are in majority in the hubli-dharwad municipal council, have asked the pontiff to maintain the status quo of the idgah maidan - that muslims be allowed to offer prayers and give permission for existing six shops to continue.the congressmen were led by party floor leader in the council, anil kumar patil. when contacted, gangadhara rajayogindra swami told the times of india that he needs some more time to announce a 'formula' for settling the issue. though it is believed that the seer would be announcing his decision within three days, the pontiff himself was not forthcoming about when the formula would be announced. on monday, the pontiff sought the views of the representatives in the suit, which is now pending before the supreme court. it may be recalled here that the apex court had given eight-weeks time to settle the dispute in hubli itself. following the sc directive, the community leaders took the initiative on the controversial issue. after holding a number of meetings, it was decided to form a five-member committee headed by gangadhara rajayogindra swami. the sc also granted another eight-weeks time when the first period ended without a final solution.