Karnataka CM Offers Prayers at Dharmashala Temple

Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and several cabinet colleagues, visited Dharmashala Sri Manjunathaswamy Temple on Saturday to offer prayers.

The team, which included Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, Urban Development Minister Byrati Suresh, and Animal Husbandry Minister Venkatesh, received a traditional welcome upon their arrival. After praying to Sri Manjunathaswamy and other deities, they met with Dharmadhikari Dr. D Veerendra Heggade at his residence.

"There have been timely rains across the state. The Chief Minister and we have prayed for a good crop and the welfare of the people of the state," DCM Shivakumar told reporters.

He added that women at the temple expressed their appreciation for the government's welfare programs, particularly the Gruha Lakshmi scheme.

He added that Veerendra Heggade also praised the government's progressive initiatives. Following lunch at the Sri Sannidhi Guest House, the ministers departed for Mangaluru.

Earlier, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed allegations from the opposition regarding the Congress's purported pressure to arrest BJP MLA Harish Poonja.

"The law is the same for everyone. An FIR has been registered under IPC 353, a non-bailable offence with a possible seven-year imprisonment. Should the allegations against Harish Poonja be ignored just because he is an MLA?" the Chief Minister remarked while speaking to reporters at Mangaluru Airport.