BSY, HDK at Dharmasthala

Leaders aim to turn occasion into a show of strength by their supporters

However, Yeddyurappa will not swear his rectitude as he had earlier announced to do while challenging JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for the ‘truth test’ after the latter alleged that the chief minister had attempted to ‘buy’ his silence. The CM had later opted out of the test on the persuasion of senior BJP leaders and religious heads.

Kumaraswamy will be rea­ching here past midnight on Sunday and will offer prayers at Dharmasthala after the chief minister, as per the revised programme, at 10 am.

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade said that separate arrangements had been made for Yeddyurappa as well as Kumaraswamy.  “Both are free to say what they want, before the Lord,” he said.

The ‘truth test’ involving the two leaders may be off but they are apparently turning the occ­asion into a big show of str­e­ngth. At least six ministers in the Yeddyurappa government and more than two dozen BJPâMLAs are expected to reach the temple town in separate batches as a mark of solidarity with the chief minister.

Among the ministers who have confirmed their presence include Ren­uk­a­charya, Umesh Katthi, Na­ra­yana Swamy, Bacche Gowda, V Somanna, Murugesh Nirani, C C Patil and Krishna J Palemar.

More than 20 JD(S) MLAs, MLCs and their supporters are expected to reach here Monday morning to extend support to Kumaraswamy.

While Yeddyurappa will only have the darshan of Lord Manjunatha and proceed to Subramanya to inaugurate development works, Kumaraswamy will do the “satyada nivedane” (submission of truth), a ritual before the deity to say he stands by his allegations against Yeddyurappa.

 All the available accommodation here has been booked and devotees have been requ­e­sted to make alternative arrangements.

While Yeddyurappa would stay in ‘Sri Sann­idhi,’a VVIP guest house, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy along with his followers would stay at Shanthi Vana, about two km away from Dharmasthala.

JD(S)âsources said Kum­araswamy plans to place before the deity on Monday, a copy of the letter that he had written to Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade on June 19 on the entire issue.

Replying to media queries on whether he would permit the JD(S) leader to release the letter to the media, Heggade said, “ Kumaraswamy is free to release the letter which he had written to me, to the media. However, I can’t disclose the contents of the letter.”

Interestingly, Heggade added that there is nothing ‘explosive’ in the letter.

To another query on whether Yeddyurappa would have to offer expiation to the presiding deity (as per the tradition) for challenging Kumaraswamy and later backtracking from his decision, Heggade said that the question of expiation did not arise as the chief minister had only announced about the truth test, but actually did not take it.

“If the chief minister or any person takes the truth test and if it turns out to be false, then there is no solution at all,” Heggade said.

When asked about why he (Heggade) did not suggest the chief minister or HDK against taking truth test (just like the way many seers suggested), Heggade said: “Being a Dharmadhikari, how can I turn down their request, especially when they want to submit before the lord.”

He said: “It would be better if there is ‘dharma’ in politics and not vice versa.” A large contingent of police has been deployed at the site. The media, both print and electronics, have gathered in strength here to report the unfolding drama on Monday. The two leaders are expected to address the media separately.