Power squabbles cast dark shadow over Mysore Dasara festivities

Bangalore, Oct 2 (UNI) The cloud of uncertainty over the issue of transfer of power from Janata Dal(S) to Bharatiya Janata Party has affected the preparations to world famous Dasara festivities in Mysore, the city of palaces.

The district administration, which was in full swing in making preparations for the smooth conduct of the Dasara Celebrations are in dilemma over the printing of the invitation. They are not sure in whose name it has to be printed -- in Mr Kumaraswamy's name or in BJP Chief Ministerial candidate and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's name.

The JD(S) and BJP are involved in a war of attrition over the change of mantle with JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda reluctant to hand over the reins to the BJP.

The state government had officially announced that the centenarian and Siddaganga Mutt seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji would flag-off the Dasara procession from the portals of Mysore Palace on October 21 on the Vijayadashami day.

The countdown for Dasara celebrations has already begun and elephants arrived and were participating in the rehearsals. The Balarama, the pachyderm assigned to carry the 810-kg golden howdah was the main attraction of the Dasara march which draws tourists from all over the country and abroad.

The ten-day celebration which would culminate on the Vijayadashami day on 21st of this month will begun from 11th October.

UNI