Suttur: Maintaining that it was unethical to misuse religion for political gains and that a political party was doing so, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah said that the State Congress Government would not allow any party to divide the society on caste and community lines.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the six-day Suttur Jathra Mahotsava at Suttur in Nanjangud Taluk yesterday.

Stating that the government would curb forces trying to create enmity and unrest among the people, Siddharamaiah urged the people to be wary of divisive forces. Emphasising the Principles of peace and harmony that every religion preached, Siddharamaiah invoked the words of Kuvempu as he exhorted the people to aspire to become ‘Vishwamanavas’ besides stating that politics should not be mixed with religions.

Pointing out that we have to lead a peaceful and dignified life, for which we need to practice good habits, the CM said that if we become Vishwamanava, our lives will become meaningful and turn into models for the society.

Listing his Government’s achievements, the CM said that they had distributed over 1.8 lakh free Laptops to students who have passed PUC irrespective of caste.

Claiming that he had lived up to the expectations of the public and fulfilled the promises made in the 2013 poll manifesto, the CM said that schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Indira Canteens etc., were chalked out in the interest of the poor.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil in his speech, said that 20 districts have been made open defecation free and five more would follow suit soon.

Claiming that over 86% of the State’s population now had access to toilet facility, he said over 1.5 crore people from rural areas have been provided with pure drinking water across the State under different schemes.

District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa in his address, said the Jathra and many other programmes associated with it, have

Annual Suttur Jathra comes to closeshowcased the social security programmes of the Government to create awareness among the people. The Government schemes and programmes were based on Buddha-Basava-Ambedkar philosophy, he added.

Earlier, the CM released the CD of a Kannada movie titled ‘Hebbett Ramakka’ and also distributed prizes.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, Belagavi Naganur Rudrakshi Mutt’s Siddrama Swamiji and Murugharajendra Mutt’s Mallikarjuna Swamiji graced the occasion.

Ministers Dr. Geetha Mahadevaprasad and Tanveer Sait, MLCs Tara Anuradha and R. Dharmasena, MLAs M.K. Somashekar and Kalale Keshavamurthy and others were present.

BJP leader ARK’s presence raises speculations

BJP leader and former MLA A.R. Krishnamurthy (ARK) sharing the dais with Chief Minister Siddharamaiah at the valedictory of the Suttur Jathra, has given rise to speculations that the BJP leader may join the Congress soon.

Krishnamurthy, whose name was not printed in the invitation, stepped onto the dais even as the programme was underway and took a seat in the row behind the CM, thus giving a hint that the BJP leader, who has been skipping party’s programmes of late, would join the Congress ahead of the Assembly polls. Krishnamurthy is said to have expressed interest in contesting from Kollegal Assembly segment.