Proving the adage that in politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, the Reddy mine barons-turned-politicians who had removed Ms Shobha Karandlaje from the ministry in a compromise formula worked out with
then chief minister Yeddyurappa — whom they were intent on unseating at the time — turned to the same Ms Karandlaje to light their sacred fire.
On Friday, it was left to Ms Karandlaje, power minister in new CM D.V. Sadananda Gowda’s Cabinet, to perform the all-important annual rite of passage for the Reddys, perform the Sri Varamahalakshmi puja at the home of physician Dr Srinivas Murthy, accompanied by former minister and Reddy confidante, B. Sriramulu; the same puja Ms Sushma Swaraj performed every year.