BJP Leader Explains How PM's Visit to Dharmasthala Differs from CM's Visit

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Lord Manjunatha temple at Dharmasthala on an empty stomach, Karnataka BJP leader Aravind Limbavali said on Sunday, taking a jibe at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose recent visit to the shrine after eating fish had triggered a controversy.

The remarks of the BJP MLA came during his address to BJP workers at the HAL airport here, before the arrival and speech of the prime minister, who is on a day-long visit to Karnataka on Sunday.

BJP MLA Aravind Limbavali said Modi did not eat till he had a ‘darshan’ of Lord Manjunatha, whereas the people were aware of what Siddaramaiah did before entering the shrine.

Siddaramaiah was involved in a controversy a few days ago for eating fish at lunch before going to the Manjunatha Swamy temple. It was seen as disrespect for the main deity of the temple, with the issue creating a buzz in the social media.

Limbavali said, “Our prime minister works for 18 hours a day. He left for the temple early in the morning and remained on empty stomach till he had the darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy. That is the difference between Modi and Siddaramaiah. You all know well what the chief minister did recently. He went to the temple after eating fish.”