Politicians seek divine help in Karnataka

Political leaders cutting across party lines made a beeline for temples in the State on Thursday.

BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa visited the Radhakrishna temple in the vicinity of Dollars Colony before arriving at Raj Bhavan to take oath as Chief Minister, and afterwards visited the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru to pay respects to Shivakumara Swami. It is Mr. Yeddyurappa’s practice to seek the blessings of the Siddaganga seer before taking up new positions.

JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda performed a ‘yaga’ in his house for the well-being of his son and JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was the CM candidate of the JD(S)-Congress combine. He also performed an elaborate puja before leaving for the Vidhana Soudha to participate in a protest jointly staged by the JD(S) and the Congress over the decision of Governor Vajubhai Vala to allow Mr. Yeddyurappa to take oath.

After participating in the protest under the blazing sun, Mr. Gowda left for Tirupati to sake more divine blessings. Incidentally, his birthday falls on May 18 (Friday), when he turns 86.

Mr. Kumaraswamy also offered a puja at the temple on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha after participating in the protest on the steps of the Gandhi statue.