Mangalore: Eyebrows Raised Over CM's Secret Parleys with Prabhakar Bhat

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 24: Karnataka chief minister (CM) D V Sadananda Gowda (DVS) on Thursday February 23 is understood to have held secret discussions with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, giving rise to a series of speculations, because of the timing of the meeting.

The meeting took place at a crucial time, when former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa prepared to flex his muscles and show his strength in an effort to return to power by holding a meeting of 60 to 70 MLAs at his residence, even as DVS continued to maintain the stand that he would complete his full term as CM.

The CM, after participating in the convocation of Mangalore University, had dinner, before getting closeted with Bhat in a room of vice chancellor’s official quarters for about 45 minutes. Although the media persons too were served food at this venue, tight security around the house ensured that none of them got a chance to walk past the main door into the residence.

Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC, Ganesh Karnik, and other BJP leaders had also participated in the programme. But the talks were held one-to-one, and no one else was present at the room at the time. The fact that other leaders had no permission to participate in the discussions gives a clue that the issues discussed were sensitive and important in nature.

DVS had several important engagements in Bangalore. His presence at the convocation was fixed at the last minute, as he is in charge of higher education department at present. He arrived in a helicopter about 90 minutes behind schedule. The fact that he held hurried secret meeting with Prabhakar Bhat has given the people a chance to suspect that the CM had come here specifically to hold these discussions.

Bhat had arrived at the venue of the convocation in the morning, and had got seated in the front row during the convocation. After discussions, the CM returned to Bangalore. Both the leaders remained tightlipped about the discussions.