Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj set in motion the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Sri Krishnadevaraya, after lighting the lamps.

Sushma Swaraj poetically described the grandeur of Krishnadevaraya in Kannada. Just as he valiantly weilded his sword to eliminate enemies, he wielded the pen with equal elan, she praised.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, in his speech, expressed his pride that the Vijayanagara Empire was the only empire in the world to stand tall with the Roman Empire. The empire then, was created to restore communal harmony in the region. Today, the Government had organised the programme as per the advice of the senior members of the Sangh Parivar, he added.

Reddys hail Chief Minister

It was an irony of sorts. Only a few months ago, Reddy brother had raised a banner of revolt against Chief Minsiter B S Yeddyurappa. But, on Wednesday, Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and his brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy were lavishing praises on the CM. In his address, Janardhana Reddy, wished the CM to run the administration for several years successfully just as  Krishnadevaraya. Karunakara Reddy presented a headgear to the CM, like the one used by Krishnadevaraya, on the occasion.