Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar visited the renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Friday, accompanied by his wife, Usha Shivakumar, to offer prayers following the Congress party’s strong performance in the recent Karnataka Legislative Council elections. The visit marked Shivakumar’s first pilgrimage to the temple after assuming office as Chief Minister and came a day after all five Congress candidates emerged victorious in the elections for seven Legislative Council seats.
The Chief Minister had an early morning darshan of Lord Venkateswara at the hill shrine, one of the country’s most significant pilgrimage destinations. Temple authorities welcomed the couple and facilitated their visit, during which they participated in special religious rituals and offered prayers seeking divine blessings. Following the darshan, officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams presented them with traditional honours and prasadam in accordance with temple customs.
Sources indicated that Shivakumar’s visit also carried political significance as he prepares to undertake key administrative responsibilities, including an anticipated cabinet expansion. After completing his temple visit, the Chief Minister was scheduled to return to Bengaluru and attend a series of official meetings. Among them is a high-level review concerning the verification of the state government’s guarantee schemes, a process that has generated political debate in recent weeks.
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The Congress party’s success in the Legislative Council elections has been viewed as a major boost for Shivakumar’s leadership. While the Bharatiya Janata Party secured two seats, its National Democratic Alliance partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), failed to win representation. The outcome is being seen as a setback for JD(S) leader and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, who had closely monitored the contest and publicly challenged the Congress leadership during the campaign.
According to election results announced on Thursday, Congress not only secured victory for all five of its candidates but also reportedly received support from legislators across party lines. Party leaders claimed that several BJP and JD(S) legislators cross-voted in favour of Congress nominees. Notably, Vinay Karthik, considered a close associate of Shivakumar, secured the highest number of votes among the Congress candidates, strengthening the party’s position in the Upper House.
Reacting to the results, Shivakumar expressed satisfaction and described the outcome as a reflection of growing confidence in the Congress government. He said he was surprised by the extent of support received from legislators and viewed it as an endorsement of the administration’s policies and governance. Emphasising that the government remains committed to public welfare, the Chief Minister stated that the mandate would further strengthen the party’s resolve to serve the people of Karnataka.
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