Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Aug 14: H D Kumaraswamy, chief minister (CM) of Karnataka and his father H D Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister, visited Dharmasthala on the night of Monday, August 13, along with their family members as part of the pilgrimage tour.

The family of CM, which arrived at the holy place via the Charmadi Ghat road reached at 7.30 pm. They arrived at the premises of the temple at 9 pm. Kumaraswamy was accompanied by his wife Anita and mother Chennamma. D Harshendra Kumar welcomed the family of CM. MLC Bhoje Gowda, JD (S) district president Mohammed Kunhi, district youth JD (S) president Akshith Suvarna and M B Sadashiv were present.

Kumaraswamy was to arrive via Shiradi Ghat road as per the earlier plan. However, he had to change the route because of the traffic block at Shiradi and travelled from Hassan via Charmadi Ghat. The CM had to arrive at Dharmasthala in the evening and was to proceed to Subramanya for overnight's stay. But due to the delay, he changed his plan and stayed in Dharmasthala itself.

Harish Poonja, MLA of Beltangady, met the CM at the lodge where he was staying and submitted an appeal. In this appeal, Harish has requested for the relief of Rs 1000 crore for the damage caused by rain in Dharmasthala Kshetra, relief for arecanut growers for the loss of their crop due to fruit rot (Koleroga), preparation of objective report on Kasturirangan report and to send the opinion of the state before August 25 to the Center and provision of basic infrastructure for Endosulfan affected families.

The CM was accompanied by acting deputy commissioner Kumar, superintendent of police SP Dr Ravikante Gowda, Tahasildar of Beltangady Madan Mohan, Beltangady circle inspector Nagesh Kadri and Dharmasthala sub-inspector of police Avinash.

The family of H D Kumaraswamy met the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr D Veerendra Heggade at his residence after the offering of puja and had a discussion. Later the CM addressed the media.