Yeddyurappa seeks divine help after getting no relief from court

Former CM BS Yeddyurappa has had a few tense days, especially in the past months. And Monday might as well have been the tensest of them all, as the high court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the morning. But he was a relieved man in the evening.

Although his bail plea was rejected, he did not go to jail and he celebrated by watching the Hindi film, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, at a multiplex.

Earlier  in the day, the prospect of him ending up in judicial custody loomed large. On Monday, Yeddyurappa headed to HCG Hospital before sunrise from Sagar Hospital. This set off speculation over his strategy to fight his legal battles. Looking tired and glum, he held a meeting with confidants, including ministers VS Acharya and V Somanna.

As the court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the morning, Yeddyurappa sought divine intervention. He left for the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, Basavanagudi, to offer prayers. From here, he conveyed the message that he would face trial at 3pm. After another round of discussions with his confidants, he reached the court complex.

For the police and onlookers, it turned out to be a long wait as they anticipated he’d show up at 10:30am. The question on everybody’s lips was: “Will Yeddyurappa be sent to jail?” Some lawyers and onlookers mocked him by flashing Yeddyurappa’s trademark victory sign at him. Some of them shouted “Kalla, Kalla” (Thief, Thief) as he left. A relieved Yeddyurappa headed home, where he said: “My health is fine and I have immense respect for the judiciary. I will obey the verdict with utmost humility.”