This story is from November 9, 2019

Mysuru: Congress leader DK Shivakumar steals limelight on Chamundeshwari temple visit

Several senior politicians across parties visited Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills on Friday, some making a conscious effort to avoid bumping into the others. Fridays are generally considered auspicious at the temple.
Mysuru: Congress leader DK Shivakumar steals limelight on Chamundeshwari temple visit
DK Shivakumar on Friday visited Sri Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills.
MYSURU: Several senior politicians across parties visited Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills on Friday, some making a conscious effort to avoid bumping into the others. Fridays are generally considered auspicious at the temple.
Those who made a beeline to offer prayers include JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, disqualified Congress MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumatalli and JD(S) leader GT Devegowda, who is said to be on the verge of joining the BJP.
However, it was former minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar who stole the limelight.
Jarkiholi and Kumatalli were the early birds, arriving at around 6am. Both were hopeful the SC would overturn their disqualification. “We are hoping for a positive outcome and will contest the byelections if given the opportunity,” Jarkiholi said. The two then quickly left.
Shivakumar’s visit — a scheduled one — created a stir. Congress workers had erected banners on the road leading up to the temple, welcoming the Congress leader. Devotees milled around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Congressman, who was released on bail from Tihar jail after spending 50 days there on charges of money laundering.
A barefooted Shivakumar, accompanied by former MP R Dhruvanarayana and a host of local Congress leaders, climbed the 1,000 steps of the hill to the temple. He broke 101 coconuts in front of the temple. Later, he said he prayed for the health of AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
Shivakumar bumped into GT Devegowda during his visit. The two leaders exchanged pleasantries before Devegowda quickly departed, reportedly after getting wind of the arrival of HD Deve Gowda and his wife Chenamma. The two Gowdas have not seen eye-to-eye in recent times.

Unlike GTD, Shivakumar appeared to relish the meeting with the former Prime Minister. He touched the feet of the elder Gowda and hugged him. The two Vokkaliga leaders spoke for a while before parting ways in mutual bonhomie.
Later, Shivakumar visited the Mysuru branch of the Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt where he spoke with JD(S) MLA SR Mahesh. Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar denied reports that he and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah did not get along. “He is the party’s opposition leader. There are no differences between us,” Shivakumar said. “As a member of the party and as an MLA, I will work on the directions of the party high command.”
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