Daijiworld Medium Network - Beltangady 

Dharmasthala, Aug 17: BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday, August 17, accused the Congress government of failing to curb “malicious campaigns” being spread in the name of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into Dharmasthala.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the temple town and offering prayers, Vijayendra said the BJP had no objection to the SIT investigation but condemned what he called a conspiracy against the holy shrine. “Even Deputy CM D K Shivakumar has spoken on this matter. If such forces are at work, why is the government not taking action against them?” he questioned.

Senior BJP leaders including C T Ravi, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, MPs Brijesh Chowta and Bharath Shetty, MLAs Vedavyas Kamath, Harish Poonja, Bhagirathi Murulya, Umanath Kotian, Pratap Simha Nayak, Yashpal Suvarna and others accompanied him. The delegation later called on Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade for discussions.

Meanwhile, in a parallel show of strength, BJP cadres from Bengaluru staged a massive “Dharmasthala Chalo” rally on Saturday, August 16. Led by Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath, nearly 400 vehicles carrying party workers travelled from Yelahanka to Dharmasthala, where they offered prayers and pledged solidarity with the Dharmadhikari.

Addressing the gathering, Vishwanath said the yatra was meant to send a clear message that the BJP stood firmly with Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and Dr Veerendra Heggade amid attempts to malign the sacred institution.