Believe it or not, the Department of Political Science at Karnatak University is supposed to be a good luck charm for aspiring chief ministers of Karnataka. As testimony, at least four noted politicians from the state became chief ministers soon after they attended political debates here.
Professors at the department recall the time they spent with many of the political leaders in political debates and said most of them who visited the department went on to become CMs quickly. “It seems strange, but it’s true. Mr S. Nijalingappa, Mr S.R. Bommai and Devraj Urs were three leaders who made it to the CM’s post following hectic political developments during their periods. All the three attended the famous political debates of our department months before they took charge as CMs”, say Prof Ratnakar and Prof Harish.
When Mr Bommai and Mr Devraj Urs attended the debates, the State was witnessing turmoil to elect the new CM. The debate became interesting in the light of the political situation that prevailed ahead of the new CM’s selection, recall the professors, adding that Mr Bommai had to rush to Bengaluru from Hubli (his hometown) a few days after he attended the debate to take over as CM.
Mr Jagadish Shettar is the latest to join the list of lucky leaders. Merely a few weeks ago, MrShettar attended a political debate organised by the department. “Many students from the department did speak to Mr Shettar about how political leaders who attended the political debates went on the become CMs. The department has brought luck for Mr Shettar too who is all set to take over as CM shortly”,' says Prof Ratnakar.
Students and staff say the debate with Mr Shettar was quite interesting and stretched for over four hours