VVIP Darshan irks Bhakts

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Politicians try to get ahead of citizens all the timewhether it is about taking credit for launching a new work using tax-payer’s money or having the darshan of God. Mysuru Dasara or the ‘Naada Habba’ for instance saw politicians in the forefront of everything leaving behind hapless citizens. In Hassan, the temple of Hasanamba, the presiding deity of the place, is open to devotees only ten days in a year. The first darshan of the goddess is often a privilege given to politicians and not the public. This time, devotees had to stand in serpentine queue for many hours braving the chilling cold and when they lost patience, they started shouting at Holenarsipur MLA and former minister H.D.Revanna and his wife Bhavani Revanna for standing in front of the sanctum sanctorum forever and blocking the view of the Goddess. However, the Revanna couple didn’t seem to care and left only after having an elaborate darshan. Revanna insisted that he should be given all the prasada and the poor priest had no option but to oblige his political bosses rather than the real bosses of democracy, the citizens.

Dancing to Rahul’s tunes

Former AICC President Rahul Gandhi literally made state leaders dance to his tunes during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. He made Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah run with him and had KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar doing push-ups right in the middle of the road.Then he did the unbelievable: He made DK and Siddu climb an overhead tank in Ballari district! No one is sure what made Rahul onto the tank at a village on the way to Ballari City to hoist the tri-colour. The SPG also reached the tank with him to ensure protection to the ‘Yuvraj’ of the Congress Party. But the real problem arose when DK and Siddu had to climb the iron ladder at a height of almost 40 feet to reach the tank. Siddu pulled his white dhoti above his knees and reached the spot and so did DK. But they looked really scared while coming down and heaved a sigh of relief when the ordeal was over. Rahul had his share of fun but it’s not known if the other leaders really enjoyed it.

When minister turns artiste

Politicians are willing to go to any extent to please the public-even if it means having to wear attire they are not accustomed to. We have seen them sporting the Lambanis’ traditional attire, the Mysore peta in Mysuru, the Maratha peta in Belagavi district, the Arecanut cap in Dakshina Kannada and what not. Recently, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K. Sudhakar was on a tour of Dakshina Kannada district to attend a function. Yakshagana is a traditional art form of coastal Karnataka and the attire is pretty attractive. Seeing the colourful costume, the minister wished to try it on. The organisers were more than happy to help him fulfill his desire. They made the minister don the attire while artists ensured he was ‘made-up’ for the occasion. The crowd was awestruck to see Dr Sudhakar in traditional yakshagana costume. After posing for a couple of pictures, the minister returned to his kurta- pyjama.