Shobha Karandlaje reportedly enquired with temple's trustee about the ritual of testifying before the deity and the possible consequences in case it was a lie
Shobha Karandlaje reportedly enquired with temple's trustee about the ritual of testifying before the deity and the possible consequences in case it was a lie
While curiosity over the swearing match between Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and former CM H D Kumaraswamy to be held at Dharmasthala has soured, Shobha Karandlaje is visibly concerned about the consequences that her beloved leader might have to face. 
Concerned: Shobha Karandlaje, along with State BJP President
Eswarappa, visited to Dharmasthala on Sunday. File pic
Devotees revere Lord Manjunatha as punisher of liars and it is believed that anyone lying before the deity would invite family problems for generations to come. There is a saying in Kannada: Maathu bida Manjunatha, kaasu bida Thimmappa (Manjunatha won't forgive those who lie before him just like Lord Thimmappa (Balaji of Tirupathi), who will not spare those who leave without paying dakshina (offerings). 
Back to work: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had been to Kerala to
undergo treatment for high blood pressure. He arrived in the city
yesterday. Pic/Satish Badiger
Sources in the BJP revealed that the cause for Shobha's concern was tied to her visit to Dharmasthala on Sunday along with K S Eswarappa, state BJP president, where she met Veerendra Heggade, trustee of the temple. Their visit in the backdrop of the swearing match to be held on 27 June has raised hackles all around.
Dangers involved
The sources close to her said that Shobha was so worried that she eagerly enquired with Heggade about the ritual of testifying before the deity and the possible consequences in case it was a lie. Heggade is understood to have discouraged the idea of politicians swearing before the deity for the purpose of gaining brownie points. He however, did warn of dire consequence in case of lying. "Heggade advised not to go ahead with the swearing because it was purely political in nature. He also said there are no shortcuts before the deity, and hence it was better to keep off," said the source.
I swear
Kumaraswamy had alleged that the CM had tried to buy his silence on the latter's scams, which he planned to reveal, following which Yeddyurappa denied the allegations and dared him to swear before the deity. Kumaraswamy accepted the challenge and both were expected to state their allegations before Lord Manjunatha. Following her Dharmasthala visit, Shobha is understood to have convinced the CM not to peruse the matter and Yeddyurappa is looking for ways and means to avoid the showdown.
Seeking a path
"Apart from Shobha's persuasion, no one in the party is supporting the idea. Now, Yeddyurappa wants to drop the swearing, but he can't do it because his pledge has already become public. Thus, he is looking for a way out," said the source. However, Shobha rubbished the outcome saying that she visited the temple only as a devotee. "These are all speculations and I don't want to react. The opposition leaders are power hungry and telling all sorts of lies for the sake of power. Let them testify before Lord Manjunatha if they are truthful," she said.
No fears anyway
Yeddyurappa returned to Bangalore from Kerala yesterday after undergoing treatment for high blood pressure. He said was not scared of swearing because he was not lying. "I will leave for Mangalore on June 26 and will reach Dharmasthala from there the next day along with my family members," he said. Kumaraswamy said there was no question of going back on testifying, as he is well prepared for it. However, his father former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is understood to have advised him not to peruse the matter.
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