Vow! HDK becomes Karnataka CM, this farmer cuts his hair after 11 years
Mysuru: For 53-year-old Ramakrishnegowda M.C, a farmer from Melur village in KR Nagar taluk, it was a dream come true when H.D. Kumaraswamy was sworn in as CM on Wednesday last (May 23).
After 11 years, this ardent fan of Kumaraswamy finally got his head tonsured and beard shaved at Kaashi and fulfilled his vow to God. Ramakrishnegowda managed to get a pass to attend the swearing-in ceremony in front of Vidhana Soudha and even met Kumaraswamy, his son Mr Nikhil and party patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda too, who thanked him for his prayers.
He left for Kaashi after the completion of the swearing-in ceremony and floor test of JD(S)-Congress coalition government. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Ramakrishnegowda said, “Mr Nikhil asked me to get in touch with him if I needed help. I told Mr Nikhil that God has given me enough. I am an ordinary farmer with five acres of land, I cultivate sugarcane, paddy, ragi and have a coconut plantation. I have a daughter and three sons. I am not for any political party, but we villagers support leaders who are good at heart.
“When Mr Kumaraswamy was Chief Minister for 20 months, he brought Vidhana Soudha to the villages through his Grama Vasthavya programmes and resolved problems of people on the spot. I had witnessed his Grama Vasthavya in Hanasoge, I saw tears in his eyes when he visited the families of farmers who ended their lives.”
“So when Mr Kumaraswamy lost power in 2007, I was very upset and took a vow at the Yoga Narasimhaswamy temple at Saligrama in KR Nagar to ensure he becomes Chief Minister again. Since then, I did not cut my hair or shave my beard. I maintained a distance from relatives who advised me to shave saying that I looked like a mad man. At times even the police viewed me with suspicion thinking I was a terrorist. So I hardly moved out of my village.
Now, I have no expectations from them (Gowda family). I am sure he will resolve the Cauvery and Mahadayi issues during his tenure as Chief Minister,” Ramakrishna said. He disclosed that he had prayed a lot when Kumaraswamy underwent cardiac surgeries.
