No truth pledge by BS Yeddyurappa, only pooja: Priest

Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa will not undertake a truth pledge at the Lord Manjunatha temple here tomorrow, but only offer pooja to the presiding deity, Dharmadhikari of the temple confirmed today.

"I have told the chief minister and Kumaraswamy to follow political dharma, but not mix politics with religion. Both have accepted it," Veerendra Heggade, the head of the famous shrine, told reporters on the eve of the visit to the temple by Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy.

Yeddyurappa had yesterday decided to backout from the 'truth test', heeding the advice of his party and religious leaders.

The chief minister had challenged Kumaraswamy to come to the Lord Manjunatha temple here along with his family and take the 'trust test' to prove his claim that the BJP leader had sent an emissary to "buy peace" with him.

All arrangements have been made for the visit of the two leaders. Yeddyurappa would visit the temple at 9 am and Kumaraswamy an hour after that, Heggade said.

The Dharmadhikari said he hoped Kumaraswamy would also not undertake the 'truth test'.

Tomorrow being Monday, the temple is normally thronged by thousands of people as devotees consider the day auspicious for the darshan of Lord Manjunatha.