Don't Drag Dharamsthala Into Cross-Voting Mess, BJP MLA Tells Party Chief

Bengaluru: A sharp internal rift has erupted within the Karnataka BJP after state president B.Y. Vijayendra proposed holding the party's legislative meeting at Dharamsthala. Senior MLA S. Suresh Kumar publicly rebuked the move, saying the revered shrine must not be dragged into what he termed a "low-level political scandal."

Vijayendra had announced the meeting plan in response to allegations of cross-voting during the recent Legislative Council elections. But Suresh Kumar, in a strongly worded Facebook post, said the decision left him "shocked."

"Sri Kshetra Dharamsthala has its own sanctity," the MLA wrote. Referring to his earlier speech in the assembly, he added: "After my mother, Manjunath Swami is the only true relative in my life. Please do not drag Dharamsthala into the disgrace of cross-voting that has happened in politics."

Suresh Kumar did not mince words about those who cross-voted. He described their act as "the sin of betraying their parents." He alleged that some people had already taken pleasure in tarnishing the shrine's glory. He questioned the idea of allowing those who had shown "moral bankruptcy" to take an oath in the presence of Manjunatha Swami at a place trusted by people across the country. Such a move, he argued, would only increase the injustice.

The MLA made a direct appeal to the party leadership: "Please do not tarnish the greatness of Swami Manjunath for any reason."

His reaction came immediately after Vijayendra's announcement, sparking debate within political circles in coastal Karnataka and beyond. Many see the public disagreement as a sign of deeper unrest within the state unit over handling internal dissent.

📰 Source: Udupi Times