The song was performed by a singer of S P Balasubramanyam's team at the main venue in the district stadium late on Saturday night. Rajya Sabha member Prabhakar Kore was the first to put on his dancing shoes and he then led Yeddyurappa, Minister Laxman Savadi, legislators Abhay Patil, Sanjay Patil and Mahantesh Kavatgimath to the stage.

As the leaders danced away, the whole atmosphere in the stadium was charged with love for the State.

The presence of the chief minister in Belgaum on all three days of the World Kannada Convention has surprised Belgaumites as no chief minister has remained in the same city outside Bangalore for three consecutive days.

A relaxed Yeddyurappa even stayed at the district stadium till late night on Friday and Saturday enjoying the cultural programmes along with some of his Cabinet colleagues. His presence had every official on their toes.

The chief minister, who laid the foundation stone for a glass house at a vaccine depot here on Sunday remarked that he did not feel like leaving Belgaum and said: “I may stay back for one more day.”

Brisk business

Auto rickshaws, private vehicles, hotels both small and big, and shops made brisk business on all three days of the WKC.

A sea of people from various parts of the State and the country thronged Belgaum city and the business community made best of the opportunity. Almost every street of Belgaum city was filled with people. 

Those who missed breakfast, lunch or dinner at the food centres at the convention made it to the hotels of the city. Small shops on both sides of the main road leading to the venue sold a variety of items.