Row over Minister’s grandson in open jeep with dignitaries during Mysuru Dasara programme

Following a row over the presence of the grandson of Social Welfare Minister H. C. Mahadevappa in an open jeep with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar and their cabinet colleagues before the start of the Vijayadashami procession at Mysuru Palace on October 3, Mr. Mahadevappa denied any violation of protocol.

The opposition BJP had taken exception to the Minister’s grandson accompanying the dignitaries during the Dasara event.

Mr. Mahadevappa’s grandson hopped on to the open jeep carrying Mr Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries from the Nandi flagpole, just outside the North Gate of Mysuru Palace, to their seating enclosure inside the palace premises, after the customary Nandi Dhwaja pooja before the start of the Vijayadashami procession.

On October 4, Mr. Mahadevappa, who is the Minister in charge of Mysuru district, told reporters that there was no protocol involved during the movement of dignitaries from the Nandi flagpole to their seating enclosure. “There is no protocol or salute involved. Anybody can go as they wish,” he said adding that they chose to get on to an open jeep just to wave at the large number of people who had gathered to watch the Jumbo Savari procession.

Mr. Mahadevappa said people who are unaware about Dasara may have created a controversy.

People’s Dasara

The Minister stated that this year’s Dasara was celebrated as a ‘people’s Dasara’ with the successful organisation of all the programmes related to the festival, earning the appreciation of the public.

Mr. Mahadevappa acknowledged the contribution of the pourakarmikas, who kept the city clean by clearing about 1,000 tonnes of garbage that was generated during the 11-day-long Dasara festival.

He thanked Mr. Siddaramaiah for making available sufficient funds for the festival. “There was no interference. We sat with the district administration, discussed and planned programmes, keeping the general public in mind,” he said.

With regard to queries on leadership change, Mr. Mahadevappa said the elected Congress MLAs under the guidance of the party high command had chosen Mr. Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister after the Congress party was given a mandate by the people for five years.

“We have a high command. Whatever decision they take is final. The Chief Minister has also said the same thing. Mr. Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister now, and he will continue in the post. Whenever a situation arises, the high command will decide. There is no need to unnecessarily talk about a leadership change,” Mr. Mahadevappa said.