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Karnataka: It's time for padyatras

By Vicky Nanjappa in Bangalore
October 17, 2007 16:49 IST
With politics taking a backseat and the assembly being suspended, it now seems to be a time of yatras, demands and astrology in Karnataka

Over a week after President's rule was imposed in the state, there are still no signs of a likely government formation. So, some political leaders are using this opportunity to visit astrologers and religious shrines. The rest of them are embarking upon yatras to woo the public, in case mid-term assembly elections are declared.

Former allies-turned foes Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-Secular have embarked upon two separate yatras in the state. While the BJP is trying to convince the people that Kumaraswamy betrayed them and failed to keep his promise, the JD-S is harping on its achievements to woo the public.

The Lingayat community, which constitutes almost 40 per cent of the electorate in the state, has come down heavily on former chief minister Kumaraswamy for not handing over power to former deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa of the BJP, who is also a Lingayat.

In an attempt to appease the community, Kumaraswamy is planning to take out a padyatra which will start from a Lingayat shrine. The former chief minister is expected to cover a distance of over 1,000 kms by foot.

On the other hand, Mahima Patel, son of former chief minister J H Patel and a former JD-S MLA, will also embark on a similar padyatra. Incidentally, Patel, who is upset with the JD-S for not honouring its promise, belongs to the Lingayat community as well.

However, the Congress doesn't seem to have any such plans. They have been trying to convince the governor to cancel all the decisions taken by the Kumaraswamy government in the last few days. Moreover, the state Congress has sought a directive to stop the famous shobha yatra which takes place in Chickmagalur every year.

And then there are some leaders who have either gone on holiday or are spending their time consulting with astrologers for a foresight about the future of the state.

Vicky Nanjappa in Bangalore

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