Bagalkot: In a dramatic turn of events at Kudalasangama, Sri Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji, who was declared expelled from the Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha by the Trust on Sunday, hit back, saying that no one other than devotees had the authority to remove him. Responding to allegations that he had amassed properties, the seer clarified that he had not undertaken any activities on land donated by devotees in Kudalasangama or Davanagere. The Swamiji alleged that conspiracies had followed him ever since the launch of the Panchamasali reservation padayatra. On his arrival at Kudalasangama on Monday afternoon, the Swamiji was welcomed with garlands and slogans by hundreds of devotees. Several in the crowd also raised slogans against MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar, president of the Lingayat Panchamasali Trust.