Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 23: The steps of the iconic Vidhana Soudha has been a favourite venue of many chief minister-designates to take the oath. However, history shows that none of the CMs who took oath here were able to complete their full five-year term.
JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy has selected Vidhana Soudha as the venue for the swearing-in ceremony. The oath ceremony to begin at 4.30 pm on Wednesday May 23 is said to be a grand affair, with top politicians from different parts of the country attending it. However, the venue has raised apprehensions among people, who are discussing if it would be lucky for Kumaraswamy this time.
In Karnataka’s history, only two chief ministers completed their full five year term. D Devaraj Urs who was the first to complete his term took oath in Raj Bhavan while Siddaramaiah was sworn in at Kanteerava stadium.
The chief minister swearing in ceremony used to be a private affair inside the Glass House of the Raj Bhavan. However, it was Ramakrishna Hegde, the first non-Congress chief minister, who first chose Vidhana Soudha for the oath ceremony in 1983. But Hegde had to resign in 1988 after allegations of phone tapping of prominent politicians and businessmen in Karnataka.
Senior Congress leader S Bangarappa too chose the steps of the Vidhana Soudha for the oath ceremony in 1990. But he lasted in office for two years and was replaced by Veerappa Moily. Bangarappa has to step down as he failed to handle the Cauvery agitation.
In 1999, S M Krishna who too chose Vidhana Soudha venue was likely to complete his full five year term. However, he dissolved the Assembly and called for an early election. This became a major setback for Congress.
JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy who entered into a coalition with BJP in 2006, swore as the CM on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha. It was decided that Kumaraswamy will be the CM for the first 20 months and later it will be taken over by Yeddyurappa. However after 20 months Yeddyurappa took oath as the first BJP chief minister of South India on the same steps. His term ended in seven days due to the issues in coalition government.
In 2008, Yeddyurappa staged a comeback back with the support of six Independents. However in 2011, he was forced to step down after he was arrested in a corruption case.
Now, Kumaraswamy has again chosen Vidhana Soudha as the venue. Only time will tell if the jinx will repeat.