Wanderlust bug bites State politicians

It’s now time for the State’s netas to fly to distant shores. The vacations perhaps do not come at the expense of public money, but the politicians would justify their holidays abroad as wanderlust that all are entitled to.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has chosen Jindal naturopath as his most-favoured destination to rejuvenate himself along with two junior ministerial colleagues – R Ashok and Ravindranath. For them the famed Kerala shirodhara treatment is better than the lure of other “attractive” ambience abroad. A host of Congress and JD(S) leaders have made a beeline for European and South-east Asian countries. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande is holidaying with his better half in Malaysia shopping and relaxation paradise closer home.

He flew out of Bangalore on May 8 and is scheduled to return a week later. In fact, he will touch Bangalore a day before the Lok Sabha results are declared. The election outcome is, perhaps, the last thing on Deshpande’s mind. Or may be he wants to put it all away for the moment. Deshpande’s personal secretary said that his boss usually goes abroad twice a year – once around this time of the year, followed by another around November-December.

Ambareesh, the Congress’ candidate from Mandya, is also in Malaysia, though it is not known if Deshpande and he are buddies and whether they would meet up for an evening chat or dinner together. His wife Sumalatha and son have accompanied him. The family is expected to return on May 15. One of Ambareesh’s aides said: “Sahebru (boss) really worked hard while campaigning. He deserves a break.”

Deshpande’s party colleague and working president D K Shivakumar is enjoying the coolness of the Swiss Alps. He left for Switzerland, his wife and children in tow, on Tuesday morning.