Hassan/Mangaluru: The political drama over alleged cross-voting in the legislative council elections took a new turn on Tuesday, with BJP MLA HK Suresh taking an oath at the historic Chennakeshava Temple in Belur to assert his innocence.Amid continuing allegations of cross-voting, the Belur MLA visited the temple early in the morning along with hundreds of supporters and party workers. He swore that he had committed no wrongdoing and had never acted against the party. After the ceremony, he left for Dharmasthala and said he would take a similar oath before Lord Manjunatha there as well.Suresh alleged that a major conspiracy was being hatched against him by those who could not tolerate his political growth. Becoming emotional, he said that God would never forgive him if he had betrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who campaigned for him during the 2023 assembly elections. He was elected to the Assembly for the first time in 2023.Suresh asserted that he could neither be purchased nor lured with money. “It is an illusion that I can be bought. God has blessed me with wealth,” he said. “People can win me only through love and affection,” he added.Suresh visits DharmasthalaBJP MLA HK Suresh also visited Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on Tuesday. “Some people have accused me of cross-voting in the MLC election. I am making this statement after taking an oath before Lord Manjunatha. I am a loyal BJP worker and have neither cross-voted nor betrayed the party. I voted for the candidate recommended by our party president and the leader of the opposition. Lord Manjunatha, along with the people of my constituency, is a witness to this. The BJP is like my mother,” he told reporters after offering prayers at the temple.Suresh said he had sent letters to BJP state president BY Vijayendra, leader of the opposition R Ashoka, BJP national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, and BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh regarding the matter.He offered prayers to deities Annappa Swamy and Lord Manjunatha and said he prayed for the well-being of those who had allegedly tried to defame him. “As an honest party worker and MLA, I have consistently raised issues concerning my constituency and the state in the assembly. I have been serving my constituency as a dedicated party worker. I am confident that the truth will prevail,” he said.The MLA also met Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.
