Mangaluru: Even the Gods are not immune to the vagaries of Karnataka politics.
Even the committees governing several temples in the state are set to get a saffron hue after the change of guard in Bengaluru with BJP veteran B.S. Yediyurappa taking over as Chief Minister.
The temples which come under the Muzrai department, are governed by nine-member committees which are appointed by the government for three years.
It is a known fact that the ruling party appoints influential persons identified with its camp as members of these temple committees.
Several BJP leaders had made it to the committees during BJP rule between 2008 and 2013.
But soon after the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah swept to power in 2013, the BJP appointees had to make way for Congress workers.
The term of many temple committees has come to an end now with as many as 30 temples of Grade B and C in Dakshina Kannada district set to witness a change of guard. July 19 is the last date for devotees to apply for the post of committee member.
Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders were confident of making it to these committees as their parties were in power but now the scenario has changed.
Also, a majority of the MLAs in the region are from the BJP and saffron party leaders are hopeful of coming to power at least in some temples with the help of their MLAs.
“With our party coming to power, workers and leaders will be able to get a place in the state-run boards and corporations and temple committees too,” a BJP office bearer told Deccan Chronicle. The new government is likely to scrutinize the names and finalise the committees shortly.
