Karnataka   

Keeping their date with the deities

Alladi Jayasri

Ambitious hopefuls lobbying to join the new Ministry

BANGALORE: After emerging victorious from his January 18 coup, the Chief Minister-elect H.D. Kumaraswamy has left Bangalore again, this time on a pilgrimage of thanksgiving.

Mr. Kumaraswamy has reportedly left for Thirunallar in Tamil Nadu and Tirupati to offer prayers and pujas.

Mr. Kumaraswamy will offer prayers at the Shani temple in Thirunallar before leaving for Tirupati. The new Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition Government led by him will be sworn in on February 3.

Even when Janata Dal (S) legislators were being herded from one holiday resort to another in the week that preceded the January 27 deadline for the outgoing Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to seek a trust vote in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Kumaraswamy had ensured a spiritual spin for his brood: from Goa's sunny beaches, they headed home via Gokarna, Kollur and other temple towns before returning to Bangalore, fortified with prayers and blessings for victory.

The BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister-designate B.S. Yediyurappa too has not lagged behind in keeping his date with the deities. Sunday morning saw him on the way to Suttur Math for the jatra utsava and to seek the blessings of Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji of the math.

Even Mr. Deve Gowda, who has said that he is devastated by Mr. Kumaraswamy's actions and the consequences of the events of the past 10 days, has left for Kancheepuram, Kalahasti and Tirupati.

Legislators from the Janata Dal (S) and the BJP too are reconnecting with their gods, as frenetic lobbying is on to join the Ministry. Though it is well known that Janata Dal (S) and the BJP have finalised the list, ambitious hopefuls are lobbying with the gods and their masters. Mr. Kumaraswamy has not concealed his disappointment over the decision of five senior Janata Dal (S) Ministers to stay out of the Government, while efforts are on to persuade the outgoing Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash to accept the post of party president. Mr. Yediyurappa has said that appropriate representation for districts and communities will be ensured in the Cabinet. There should be no disappointment for those who do not make it to the Ministry as 40 of the 70 boards and corporations will be headed by BJP.

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