Candidates seek divine help ahead of Karnataka by-election results
Bengaluru, Dec 08: Ahead of the counting of votes for the byelections at 15 assembly segments, leaders in Karnataka visited temples and Maths on Sunday seeking divine intervention.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa went to Dharmasthala and sought the blessings of Lord Manjunatha.
Amid chanting of hymns, Yediyurappa performed a special puja in the temple for his party's (BJP) victory in the polls and successful completion of his tenure in the next three-and-a-half years.
His party needs at least six seats in the assembly.
At the end of the rituals, the priest tied a turban around his head.
The 86-year-old JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda performed puja at Sai Baba temple at Shirdi.
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He was accompanied by the party MLC T A Sharavana.
Sporting a white colour kurta and dhoti with an angavastram around his neck, the octogenarian prayed for the victory of his party candidates in the election.
Karnataka Rural Development Minister K S Eshwarappa too visited the Veereshwara Punyashrama at Gadag and performed special prayers.
The BJP requires at least six seats for a majority in the assembly of 221 seats minus the Speaker and a nominated member.
Speculations are rife that the Congress and JD(S) may join hands again if the poll results favour the two parties.