Ahead of results, leaders take a breather

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and former minister KS Eshwarappa sought solace and hope at places of worship. Bommai visited Saundatti Renuka Yellamma temple in Belagavi district

Bengaluru

KPCC president DK Shivakumar made a quick visit to Kanakapura along with his brother and Congress MP DK Suresh, and met his mother Gouramma in Kodihalli. (HT Photo)

With the dust of a high-decibel campaigning settling down and Karnataka eagerly awaiting the results, leaders of all political parties took a much-needed breather on Thursday.

The top brass of all major parties were on a campaign blitz across the state the past few weeks to woo voters. The contest is between the ruling BJP, Opposition Congress which is looking to script a comeback, and the JD(S) eyeing to play the role of a kingmaker.

While some political leaders spent time with their families, others unwinded by catching up with their friends before the counting day jitters creep in.

KPCC president DK Shivakumar made a quick visit to Kanakapura along with his brother and Congress MP DK Suresh, and met his mother Gouramma in Kodihalli. In his trademark white shirt and pant, Shivakumar was seen bowing down to seek his mother’s blessings as Suresh sipped tea.

The DK brothers went on to have the famed masala dosa at Vasu hotel, even as party workers and the media surrounded them with election-related queries. Shivakumar was also seen resting in his vehicle with the seat stretched, before returning to Bengaluru and relaxing at his Sadashiva Nagar residence.

In contrast, Opposition leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah discussed poll probabilities and the party’s next strategy with state Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala in Bengaluru.

He also thanked the party workers and supporters on Twitter, for “working day and night, forgetting meals and rest” on behalf of Congress candidates. Making a special appeal to the party workers, the Congress veteran urged them to take some time off and spend time with family. “Our honest struggle will definitely bear fruit. Thanks again, and best wishes to you all,” he added.

For former chief minister and JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy, it was again time to fly out of the country. After an arduous campaign for the JD(S) and the ‘Pancharatna Yatra’, Kumaraswamy left to Singapore on Wednesday night for a few days of rest, and is expected to return to Bengaluru on May 13 when the fate of the contestants will be sealed.

The JD(S) leader had made a similar trip to Singapore a day after polling during the 2018 assembly elections. “He is very much relaxing in Singapore with friends. But both the parties (Congress and BJP) are trying to reach him,” a JD(S) leader said on condition of anonymity.

Other leaders including chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and former minister KS Eshwarappa sought solace and hope at places of worship. Bommai visited Saundatti Renuka Yellamma temple in Belagavi district along with his wife as polling ended and offered special pooja. Eshwarappa visited Kukke Subrahmanya temple in Kadapa taluk of Dakshina Kannada district along with his family.

For JD(S) candidate Devraj Patil, oil massage did the trick. The leader was seen getting his nerves relaxed as the massage therapist ran the oil and tools over his body.

KPCC campaign committee president MB Patil, who toured the polling stations and the state for over a month, also spent the day resting at his residence in Vijayapura.

It’s not just the political leaders who kept a distance from the media and the day-long rallies. “I had a peaceful lunch after a really long time. It feels like I just completed my 12th board exam,” a member of Congress’ strategy team quipped.