Although Karnataka boasts of a law against superstitious practices, lawmakers and leaders in the State seem to have great faith in the role of celestial bodies in their lives and political careers.
On Friday, attendance in the State secretariat was thin with many ministers away on the ‘inauspicious’ lunar eclipse. Among the exceptions was Higher Education Minister G.T. Devegowda, who chaired a meeting to discuss issues related to hostel facilities for students.
With ministers away and their offices remaining closed, not many people were seen in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha. The parking lot also wore a deserted look.
Asked how he attended office while his colleagues stayed away, Mr. G.T. Devegowda said he is not superstitious. “For me, all days are the same, be it ‘amavasya’ or ‘poornima’ . In fact, I feel working on these days will do more good.”
The day before the eclipse, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his family, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Minister H.D. Revanna, sought the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati. Mr. Gowda’s family is known to have strong faith in astrology and religious rituals.
Earlier this month BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa had said he would start his tour of Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha polls only after the ‘inauspicious’ lunar eclipse and advised his partymen to spend the day in prayer.