Oath showdown: Kumaraswamy speaks to Heggade

BANGALORE: Even as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced that he along with his family members would reach Dharmasthala on June 26 by train to be ready for settling a political dispute before divinity, state JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy is understood to have sought permission as well as guidance from the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr Veerendra Heggade whether or not to take oath in front of Lord Manjunathaswamy as challenged by Yeddyurappa.Immediately after his arrival from Kottakkal, in Kerala, Yeddyurappa announced that he would go to the temple-town to take oath on June 27 along with his family members.“I will travel to Dharmasthala by train on June 26,” he added.His announcement came amidst rumours that party bosses had expressed their displeasure over his decision to mix religion with politics and also serious efforts were being made to avoid the oath test.“There is no going back on my words,” the chief minister said.On the criticism that his decision was unconstitutional, Yeddyurappa said that the act of taking oath or swearing on god’s name cannot be considered as “unconstitutional”.Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy, in his letter to Dr Veerendra Heggade, is believed to have said as follows, “I am dead opposed to mixing politics with religion, though I am also deeply religious.Left to myself, I would not have ventured to this sort of exercise that reduces the politicians to butt of ridicule. But I am forced to accept the challenge thrown by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. If not, there will be every possibility of the people mistaking me. I am really in a dilemma and I need your guidance” according to JD (S) sources.Dr Heggade, on his part, has already said in Belthangady that it is left to the individuals whether or not to settle their disputes in front of Lord by taking oath or pledge.“The temple has no role to play in this. It is individual’s beliefs,” he said.Kumaraswamy too has said that he will reach the temple-town on the same day but has wondered why Yeddyurappa is insisting that one should come with the family.“ I will go [to Dharmasthala] alone and not with my family,” he said.Enroute to Bangalore, the chief minister paid a visit to the famous Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayoor and offered prayers.