Kumaraswamy's nod for Shobha Yatre

A day after the Karnataka government's coalition partner BJP adopted a threatening posture, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday gave his nod for the communally sensitive Shobha Yatre and the Datta Jayanti celebrations to be held in December at the controversial Bababudangiri Hills in Chikmagalur district.

According to Janata Dal (S) sources, the BJP leadership was successful in convincing the chief minister to permit the twin celebrations.

"The BJP leaders have promised to maintain peace during the celebrations. Denying permission for the celebrations meant political defeat for the BJP. So the chief minister is not in a position to say no. The Shobha Yatre will be restricted to Chikmagalur district," the sources added.

However, speaking to reporters after a marathon meeting of the JD(S)-BJP coordination committee, Kumaraswamy said: "We are yet to take a decision on the issue. But we will ensure that the government will not hurt the feelings of any community while taking a decision on permitting Shobha Yatre."

This has become a divisive issue for the two coalition partners. The BJP is in favour of the Shobha Yatre as it sees its popularity in the district as the direct result of holding the Yatre over the years.

On the other hand, the JD(S) is opposed to it as the Yatre has in the past turned out to be communally divisive and violent. Even the party supremo H D Deve Gowda had threatened to terminate the coalition arrangement if the BJP went ahead with the Shobha Yatre.

The sources said Kumaraswamy viewed a presentation by BJP leaders, which showed how they would hold the Shobha Yatre and maintain peace.

The erstwhile Congress government led by S M Krishna had permitted the Datta Jayanthi celebrations and the then law and parliamentary affairs minister D B Chandre Gowda had monitored the celebrations.

"Considering the precendents, it is difficult for Kumaraswamy to deny permission for the Shobha Yatre," the sources stated.