Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Nov 16: Two former ministers in the erstwhile ministry of Yeddyurappa, who lost their positions and assembly membership after being disqualified because of their revolt against the Chief Minister, sought divine intervention in their fight to regain power. Gulihatti Shekhar and Narendra Swamy, former independent MLAs-turned-ministers, arrived at Sri Madananteshwara temple in Madhur near here on Monday November 15 morning.

The two independent legislators, who had got the gift of ministerial berths for supporting the first ever BJP government in Karnataka to stay afloat, were sacked after they sided with a BJP rebel group and submitted a joint memorandum to the state Governor, expressing their lack of confidence in the leadership of Yeddyprappa.

At the temple, they performed oblation with 108 coconuts and offered special prayers. After taking rest for some time in the guest house of the temple, they left from Madhur. Both of them said that the purpose of their visit had nothing to do with politics, and that they had won in the election because of the trust reposed by the voters of their respective constituencies, stressing that they were not with any political party. They also offered prayers at Malla Sri Durgaparameshwari temple and visited three houses in Bovikkana, which are suffering due to endosulfan side effects. They promised to provide two lac rupees each to the affected families, and also financial assistance to those who do not have houses, to build houses and live happily. “We will return after two weeks to hand over this help,” they promised.

Both of them said that they are fighting against corruption, which is rampant in Karnataka government. They said they are not targetting any individual including Yeddyrrappa, or any political party including BJP, but that their only aim is to extirpate corruption from public life. They explained that they would chalk out a programme in this direction, after their case is decided by the court.

They insisted that they are not the members of the BJP and that they have remained independents since their election. They accused the BJP of treating them as slaves when they were ministers in Karnataka government.

There are rumours that Shekhar and Swamy, whose political future hangs in balance, are here to consult a famous astrologer about their future and to get advice on next move. There is information that they left to visit an astrologer based in Kollam after their temple visits.