Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who visited the ailing Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumar Swami at hospital on Friday, said the 110-year-old seer had not only recognised him but also spoken to him.
Siddaramaiah, who met the seer before he was wheeled into operation theatre for surgery, told reporters that doctors at the hospital had told him that Shivakumara Swami's condition was "stable".
"The seer came down with fever and cough late last night. I've been told that his condition is stable. He recognised me and even asked me what time I came in. He also asked me thrice if I had taken the 'prasada'. The doctors and the Mutt will take a call on when he should be discharged," he added.
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George and Bengaluru Mayor Sampath Raj accompanied Siddaramaiah to the hospital. Later in the day, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and Energy Minister D K Shivakumar also visited the seer at the hospital.
Siddaramiah had on Thursday written to prime minister urging him to confer the Bharat Ratna on the seer. A few days ago, BJP leader S M Krishna too had made the same proposition to Modi.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks