Pics: Daya Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 10: Former union minister, Janardhana Poojary, was furious at the fact that chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah, changed his plans at the last minute after indicating earlier in the day that he would be visiting Kudroli temple. 

Although the CM, who was on a visit to the district on Sunday, was not originally scheduled to visit Lord Gokanarnanatheshwara temple, the temple officials had got information in the afternoon about the CM's visit to the temple. The inaugural of Dasara was scheduled for 6.30 pm. After waiting for his arrival, the concerned got information at 6.50 pm that Siddaramaiah had changed his plans. Thereafter, widow priests of the temple, Indira and Laxmi Shanti, inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the lamp, in the presence of Jaya C Suvarna, H S Sairam, Devendra Poojary, Urmila Ramesh, Padmaraj, Harikrishna Bantwal etc.

After offering prayers, Janardhana Poojary directly reached the stage. "We had not given official invitation to the CM. We were told by the police that Siddaramaih would be visiting the temple. I planned to pray to the presiding deity here for his continuance in power for 15 years during his visit. But he changed his plans after visiting the house of a politician to have tea. Although the inaugural function at Bantwal was held opposite my house, I did not invite him to my residence.

"The politician to whose house he went has stopped him from coming to Kudroli. But the CM should have been firm in his temple visit plan. He chose to neglect the emotions of the people. Even after I got Ugrappa to advice the CM to give holidays during Dasara, he did not listen. People understand what is truth, but you do not have the courage to admit the truth," he said, addressing the CM in his short outburst.