Police yesterday lathicharged some processionists supporting the senior pontiff of the math, even as shops in the city remained closed yesterday in response to a bandh call given by the Moorusavira math Hitavardhak Samiti.

The senior pontiff of the math was upstaged by his junior disciple, Sri Rudramuni Swami, on Sunday last. The later has obtained a stay from a Tiptur court, restraining interference in his functions as the math chief.

A four-member ministerial team would leave for Hubli to hold talks with Swamijis to resolve the math crisis, senior Janata Dal leader, S R Bommai told newsmen in Bangalore today.

He said ministers, S S Patil, M P Prakash, C M Udasi, Roshan Baig and Basavaraj Bommai, MLC, would meet both the seniorand junior Swamijis of the math, who are on an 'indefinite' fast since three days over the issue of who should head the math.