Bangalore: Despite tough posturing by BS Yeddyurappa and combative JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on taking a "truth test" before a deity, over the issue of an alleged compromise bid by the Karnataka Chief Minister, a question mark remains over whether the event would take place.
Though there was no public climb-down from both sides today, it`s apparent that things would not go that far, according to sources in BJP and JDS.
"Other political developments may overtake with this issue being a casualty," they said.
The entire episode started unfolding on June 16 when Kumaraswamy, a former chief minister under whom Yeddyurappa worked as deputy during the JDS-BJP coalition before it fell apart, alleged that Yeddyurappa had sought to buy his silence by offering inducements in terms of money and future coalition, among others.
Hitting back, Yeddyurappa placed advertisements in leading dailies yesterday challenging Kumaraswamy to come to the pilgrim town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district, where both of them can meet, and take an oath in front of Lord Manjunatha Swamy on June 27.
"If you have the courage to stick to your allegations in front of the Almighty, I will appreciate your courage. I am ever ready to take a pledge before the God that all the allegations made by you are completely baseless", Yeddyurappa said.
Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy have been digging out dirt against each other levelling charges of corruption and nepotism during their respective regimes.
The Chief Minister`s camp, led by Home and Transport Minister R Ashoka, fixed June 27 for the "truth test" and it was accepted in no time yesterday by Kumaraswamy, a Lok Sabha member who is also JDS state unit president.
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa, currently undergoing treatment at Kottakkal Ayurveda Sala in Kerala, has reportedly said the party would bear expenses for placing these advertisements, after Opposition parties attacked him for misusing public money for political purposes.
Asked for his reaction to the "truth test", Union Employment and Labour Minister M Mallikajun Kharge mocked at such an exercise and said there was no provision for such acts under Constitution.
"You are elected by people. People are your masters. They have to tell before the people," he said.
"I don`t accept this theory (of taking oath). Throwing challenge is wrong and accepting it is also wrong".
PTI
