Shave me from evil

Health minister says his bald pate and black dress are in protest against petty politics by the Opposition, insiders claim that he is actually trying to 'appease' Saturn

Health minister says his bald pate and black dress are in protest against petty politics by the Opposition, insiders claim that he is actually trying to 'appease' Saturn

His new look may have raised a few eyebrows, but Health Minister B Sriramulu maintained that his all-black look, and tonsured head were a mark of protest against the Congress Padayatra.

The 320-km Congress walkathon from Bangalore to Bellary is scheduled to culminate in a rally on August 9.u00a0 But insiders say that it was for a ritual he was performing to ward off the evils of Saturn.

Sriramulu addressed a press conference with Reddy brothers, yesterday. Sources say that his protest will continue till Varamahalaksmi, a festival of wealth, on Aug 20

Sriramulu, who appeared barefoot with his new look, addressed a press conference in Bellary yesterday, before launching Swabhimani Bellary Yatra, the counter rally.

"My look is only to register a protest against petty politics played by the Opposition and to drive home a point that we are committed to Bellary's development," he said.

Sriramulu, a significant member of the Reddy camp and 'man Friday' for tourism minister G Janardana Reddy, said that he would be on a whirlwind tour, which will culminate in a rally at Toranagal on August 7.

Congress workers are marching to the district lead by Siddaramiah, leader of the Opposition in the assembly, demanding a CBI probe into illegal mining.

Hermit's life
Sources said that he would lead a hermit's life walking barefoot, eating simple food and sleeping on the floor. This would be continued until Varamahalaksmi, a festival of wealth, on August 20, when Sushma Swaraj, leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Reddy supporter visits Bellary to perform a pooja.

However, a source close to the Reddys said that he was observing Shani Shanthi Vrata, a ritual to appease the planet Saturn that is believed to be unfavourable for the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu these days.

"The colour black represents Saturn which signifies iron and legal issues. The Reddys are into iron ore mining are into a legal tangle, and a tumulus political life," said the source. "Astrologers advised them to perform the ritual, and Sriramulu is doing it."

The Reddys had performed a Yagna at a temple in Kutralam, a holy place in Tamil Nadu.

CM's support
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, who is allegedly using the prevailing political situation to his advantage to cut the camp to size, is said to be in favour of sacking Sriramulu from the cabinet. Earlier, Yeddyurappa had rejected Sriramulu's proposal to have the said padayatra.

A source said that the minister's gesture was also to send a strong signal to the chief minister. However, the Reddy camp clarified that Sriramulu's rally was a fitting reply to the Opposition and that he had no other motives.

"Sriramulu will visit the temple and perform a pooja during the rally, but that does not mean that he would indulge in any superstitious practice," said Suresh Bhat, a spokesperson for the Reddys.