At a time when Chamundeshwari Assembly segment is considered the most prestigious constituency for both the Congress and the JD(S) what with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sitting MLA G T Devegowda fighting it out here, it was only natural that the procession before filing of nomination papers on Friday in Mysuru, turned out to be an occasion for both to exhibit their strength.
Thousands of people, from both Congress and JD(S), gathered in front of Kote Anjaneyaneya Swami temple from where the leaders launched the processions.
While JD(S) workers, along with party candidate Devegowda, took out the procession first, Congress workers commenced the rally a little later after Siddaramaiah visited the temple.
The CM left the place after offering puja. His supporters took out a procession.
According to the police, more than 10,000 people from both the parties participated in the rally.
As both the party leaders gathered at the same time, a verbal altercation broke out. However, the police managed to control the crowd.
Owing to over-crowding, the City Police diverted vehicular movement in parts of the city. A large posse of police personnel were deputed near the temple and along the procession route.
The City Police had allocated a different route and time slot for both parties for the procession.
Devegowda, along with his family members, who arrived near the temple, offered puja at Kote Anjaneya Swami temple and left for the Mini Vidhan Soudha to file the papers.
According to the police, nearly 6,000 people participated in the JD(S) rally.
A large number of Congress party workers too took out a procession from the temple premises after Siddaramaiah offered puja. After filing the papers, Devegowda said he and Siddaramaiah were together from 1983 to 2006 and worked for each other’s success in politics.
After Siddaramaiah shifted to Varuna Assembly segment in 2008, he never cared for the people of the Chamundeshwari segment. But, now, to make way for his son Dr Yathindra, Siddaramaiah wants to return to Chamundeshwari, he said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he is happy with the people’s support. “I have an emotional bonding for the Chamundeshwari segment. Thus, I decided to end my electoral politics from the segment from where I started. I have political opponents but not enemies,” Siddaramaiah said.
Siddaramaiah was first elected for the segment as an Independent in 1983, but, he shifted to Varuna segment in 2008.