Kundapur: Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa offers gold arch to temple deity

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (DV)

Kundapur, Mar 1: Davangere South Vidhana Sabha constituency MLA, president of Akila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, and Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa offered a gold arch (‘Prabavali’) to Kundapur’s renowned Hattiangadi Shri Siddhivinayaka Temple.

On Thursday February 28, Shivashankarappa along with his family visited the temple and offered prayer to the Lord. As per the wish of his daughter-in-law he offered a golden arch weighing 3.5 kg to the deity.

Administrative trustee Vedhamurthy H Ramanchandra Bhat welcomed Shivashankarappa’s first visit to the temple and felicitated him.

On this occasion, temple priest Vedhamurthy HL Balachandra Bhat, Sharankumar, principal of Shri Siddhivinayaka Residential School, L T Thimmappa Hegde, former MLA and president of Shri Siddivinayaka Educational Trust, Shivashankarappa’s son Ganesh, Rekha Ganesh, Abhijith, Anchal, Akhil, Ashik and other family members were present on the occasion. Before the arch was offered to the deity, it was brought on a palanquin to the temple.

Speaking to media persons, Shivashankarappa said that in forthcoming local bodies’ election Congress will triumph and clarified that there was no political motive in his visit to the temple. “I never came here to demand a good position in politics. I have come here with belief, devotion, faith, and to fulfill my daughter-in-law’s vow,” he added.

When asked if he was lobbying for the post of KPCC president, he replied that there are internal efforts going on to get the post. “If I am offered the post I cannot refuse it. I have the ability to handle the responsibility,” he said, indirectly hinting at his aspirations. On MLAs and MPs expected to join the Congress party, he said anyone can join the party but after the impending local body elections.