Math opts for Cong, distances BJP

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The celebrations to mark the 105th birthday of Siddaganga Math seer, Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, have raised eyebrows for more than one reason this year.

Not only have they been cut down to a day from the usual three to five days, but in a departure from recent years, no BJP bigwig has been invited to them or even associated in their organisation.
In fact, there will be no other political leader other than Congres president, Sonia Gandhi, on the dais during the Guruvandana programme, going by the official invitation.

While the math claims the celebrations have been cut short due to the drought , it does not have as convincing an explanation for the absence of the BJP men when last year BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and several bigwigs of other parties, including the Congress had participated in the Guruvandana programme.

Strangely, Chief Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda and former Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa too have not been invited although the latter's proximity ro Sri Shivakumara Swamiji is well known.
Even the complexion of the organising committee of the Guruvandana programme has seen a sea change.

While in the past, minister V. Somanna and small screen artiste, Nagaraja Swamy were involved in organising not just the Guruvandana programme but also small events of the math, this year no BJP leader, including Mr Yeddyurappa or Mr Somanna have visited the math since the preparations for the birthday celebrations began.

It has been left to film artiste, Sachidanada Swamy, former police officer, Revanna Siddaiah, former minister, Rani Satish and a math devotee, Dr. Jayanna, to organise the Guruvandana instead.
Ask the math's administrator, S. Vishwa-nathaiah, about these changes and he claims invitations have been extended to members of all parties including the chief secretary of the state.

But it is rumoured that the math's decision to honour the Congress president, is an indirect appeal to the UPA government to accord the 'Bharata Rathna' to Sri Shivakumara Swamiji.

According to the schedule announced ,Ms Sonia Gandhi will inaugurate the celebrations at 11 am on Saturday in the presence of Suttur Math seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Adichunchangiri seer Balagangadharnatha Swamiji and junior pontiff of the math, Sri Siddalinga Swamji.