BS Yeddyurappa questions Chief Minister’s temple-hopping spree

On Saturday, when reports flew thick that a section of Congress MLAs were planning to cross over to the BJP, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, his wife Anita and father HD Deve Gowda were visiting the Sringeri Sharada temple in the Western Ghats.

A day earlier, a farming family of four in Mandya district ended their life, provoking caustic remarks from leader of the Opposition, BS Yeddyurappa. “When farmers are committing suicide, instead of handling the situation, our CM has taken to a temple tour,” he said.

For one, nobody can accuse Kumaraswamy of turning to temples when faced with a political crisis, real or imaginary. Because, Kumaraswamy visits temples irrespective of all that. He has seamlessly combined work and worship ever since he was sworn in on May 23. In the last four months, he has made more than 50 temple visits, not sparing a single “important” temple in Karnataka, a close observer said.


In fact, Kumaraswamy was never an atheist. He was, however, not overtly religious as he seems to be during his present tenure. His father Deve Gowda and older brother, PWD Minister HD Revanna, have always been deeply religious, consulting astrologers and visiting temples more often.

HDK’s faith in the power of temples increased after his party, the JD(S), became the bigger partner in the JD (S)-Congress coalition, despite finishing in the third place in the May 12 Assembly polls. That is believed to be the result of following several rituals as advised by astrologers. And it is apparently astrological advice that stops him from moving into an official bungalow — which is closer to the Vidhana Soudha and is much bigger — to remain in his private residence at JP Nagar.

Saturday’s Sringeri visit was in the order of things. The Deve Gowda family had performed a 15-day yaga in Sringeri, aimed at achieving political success before the Assembly polls. “After becoming the CM, Kumaraswamy visits Sringeri temple every now and then. Looks like our CM is one of the many people who have had a soothing personal experience at the temple. Faith keeps him going,” said a corporate executive hailing from the temple town.

Also, indications are that HDK’s religiosity may have increased due to setbacks to his health. The CM underwent his second heart procedure — he called it a brush with death — last year.

The daily poojas at home and temple visits seem to give him a sense of psychological comfort and reassurance, an aide said.

So, unlike Rahul Gandhi, who made a trip to Manasarovar, or Congressmen competing with the BJP to prove their Hinduness, Kumaraswamy’s temple visits are no political weapons to counter the BJP in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls of 2019. It is Kumaraswamy’s way of life and he can outdo any BJP leader when it comes to religiosity.

No prizes for guessing why Yeddyurappa took exception to HDK’s temple visit and reminded him of his political duty.