Mysuru: Four leaders — Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, K. Harishgowda and HD Revanna — offered prayers at the Chamundeshwari Temple on the first Ashadha Friday.Former Union minister and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal later accused the Karnataka BJP leadership of cross-voting by individual leaders from the BJP and Congress, saying it weakened the party’s organisational strength. Yatnal said the BJP high command continued to repose confidence in the state party president due to the perceived influence of his family, but would “soon realise the ground reality.” “The BJP high command has taken action against several powerful leaders in other states. A similar development could take place in Karnataka by Nov or Dec,” he said.Meanwhile, Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Bandisiddegowda said he prayed to Goddess Chamundeshwari seeking a cabinet berth, comparing his aspiration to “a child crying for its mother’s milk.” Defending chief minister DK Shivakumar over the Bidadi township issue, Bandisiddegowda described him as a secular leader working in the interests of farmers and appealed to critics to give him sufficient time before passing judgement.Congress MLA K Harishgowda backed the inclusion of kambala in Mysuru Dasara, saying it showcases Karnataka’s cultural diversity without harming the environment. He added that Mysuru district deserves another cabinet representation.Former minister HD Revanna also offered prayers, seeking good rainfall and prosperity for farmers.
