Vaasthu, astrological beliefs rule the roost at Karnataka swearing-in ceremony

It was a show of superstition at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday morning, as the clock struck 9.30 for the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers to the state cabinet.

Vijayshankar, MLC, who was sworn-in by the governor, HR Bhardwaj, surprised the audience by taking a pradakshina (going in a circle) around chief minister BS Yeddyurappa after the swearing-in. He made sure that he fell at the chief minister’s feet, before signing the register kept for the new ministers.

A close associate of Vijayshankar explained that vaasthu was the reason behind the new minister’s act. The MLC was also draped in a traditional yellow shawl and sported a large kumkum on his forehead.

For SA Ramadas, a staunch loyalist of the chief minister, a visit to the Lord Venkateshwara and Ganesha temples in Chamarajpet were the first priority before the swearing-in. Ramadas also brought with him his astrologer, Venkatesh Avadhani, to the venue.

“I made Ramadas perform special pooja at his home and temple and asked him not to forget the kumkum on his forehead,” said Avadhani.

Four-time MLA from Anekal, A Narayanaswamy also sported kumkum and made sure to drape himself in a silk shawl, as per his astrologer’s advice.

In fact, the very scheduling of the swearing-in ceremony was based on superstition, as the new members had requested Yeddyurappa to hold it on Wednesday morning, before 10 am. They believed the time after that was not so good, ahead of the inauspicious pitrupaksha that begins on Thursday. The new ministers also demanded the allocation of portfolios by noon on Wednesday, so that they could take charge before evening.