Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Sep 25: State energy minister and influential Congress leader, D K Shivakumar, visited temple town, Subrahmanya in the taluk, accompanied by members of his family on Sunday September 24. He came to the temple like a commoner. When approached by media persons, the minister refused to field questions about the IT raids on him and said he will speak about it when the time is ripe. He asked the concerned to have patience till that moment arrives.

The minister had the darshan of the presiding deity of Kukke Subrahmanya temple and paid obeisance. After offering various services to the Lord, he spoke to reporters but was disinclined to say whether the IT raid was fuelled by politics of vengeance but kept the curiosity of media persons alive by saying that he would talk about it at an opportune time.

He predicted that his party will rise to power again in the state after the coming assembly election and felt that his party will get eight to ten more seats as compared to the current legislators strength. "It would be difficult to predict accurately how many seats we will win. I do not know astrology, but I can safely say that Congress will rule the state again," he stated.

He asked people not to attach any special significance to his current visit to this temple, adding that he has always had immense faith in this temple and therefore has been maintaining steady contact with the temple. He said that he had visited the temple many a time in the past, and that this time he chose to come with the family members as per the wishes of the god. "I have visited this temple during both good and bad times. In the past, I had fulfilled the religious vow of offering golden ornament to the temple in the name of my second daughter," he said.

Shivakumar said that he has prayed to the Lord to grant security to the government, people of the state and his family, besides peace, tranquility and peaceful coexistence in general. He said that a temple is a place where the devotees interact with the Lord and that Lord Subrahmanya often makes him visit this temple. He said he had prayed to the Lord and obtained His blessings.

The minister said that Subrahmanya temple has progressed in many ways and devotees are able to perform all kinds of services which they desire. He said there are things to improve here for the convenience of devotees and that he would bring them to the notice of the chief minister about them. He promised to ensure that, subject to the convenience of the chief minister, he would arrange for his visit to the temple and inform the temple managing committee in advance so that they can get development works sanctioned through him. He praised the temple managing committee headed by Nityananda Mundody for its excellent work.

When the energy minister was informed that the 110 KV power substation unit that was to be installed in the town long back is getting unduly delayed, he instructed Mescom officials who were present, to work to clear obstacles in executing this work. To another question, he said that there is no proposal at present to extend 'Indira Canteen' service to Subrhamanya that is thronged by lot of people. He felt there is no need for the canteen as the temple serves food to all the visitors.However, he promised to consider the prospects once district and taluk headquarters are covered under this scheme.

Temple chief priest, Vedamurty Seetaram Yedapadithaya, welcomed the minister when he came accompanied by wife, son and daughters, draped a shawl around him and offered Prasadam. The minister got himself weighed with rice (95 kg) under 'Tulabhara' offering. He also offered similar service on behalf of his son and two daughters. He performed services like Panchamruta Anhisheka, Nagapratishte and Mahapuja before having food at the temple. He also visited Samputa Narasimha Math and paid respects to Sri Vidyaprasannateertha Swamiji there.

President of temple managing committee,Nityananda Mundody, welcomed the minster. Temple chief executive officer, Raveendra H M, assistant executive officer, Chandrashekhar Peralu, committee members, Mahesh Kumar K S, Krishnamurty Bhat, Balakrishna Balleri and others were present. Youth Congress district president, Mithun Rai, Rajiv Gandhi university senate member, Dr Raghu, KPCC member, Venkappa Gowda, and others were present.

The minster's visit this time, unlike in the past, remained a subdued affair as he behaved like an ordinary devotee. He stood in the queue when offering services, spoke casually with everyone, and peacefully took part in various procedures. He got his photographs clicked in the company of party activists.