Mangalore, February 14: Was V S Acharya reluctantly hanging on to his ministerial position even at the cost of his ill health?
Although, the 72-year-old Acharya had been attending to his duties and participating in public functions, he had been pleading party higher ups to relinquish him from the responsibilities of the government.
Acharya was tipped to be the successor of B.S. Yeddyurappa four months ago, but had to make way for a more acceptable Vokkaliga candidate following caste calculations. But with Sadananda Gowda taking over as the chief minister, he had to don the role of Bhishmacharya and continue to guide the government.
He was also believed to be unhappy about the internal bickering within the party and the recent porngate episode and the Malpe rave party controversy had also saddened him.
Last month, around the same time, reports about his desire to quit ministerial post had done the rounds with The Hindu reporting that his move was prompted by deteriorating health condition.
However, Mr. Acharya had staunchly dismissed the resignation rumours and furiously posted on his blog: “No stepping down: news planted in the media by vested interests! Again, news planters at work. A "reputed" national daily too has shown it's vulnerability to PAID NEWS!(sic) ”
It is believed that the BJP leaders including chief minister Sadananda Gowda had succeeded in convincing Acharya to continue in the cabinet.
Mr. Gowda has always considered him a “Raja Guru” and he desperately needed his assistance to present an impressive budget in the near future.
Mr. Gowda, while paying tributes to Acharya, conceded that he had requested him to spare at least a week for him during the preparation of the Budget.
“I had asked him to take a one week rest and then spend a week with me to prepare the budget. He had agreed. He had also said that he was ready to give me 10 days. I am the biggest loser,” Mr. Gowda said as tears started rolling down his cheeks.
Acharya had been attending functions after functions over the last few days. He had attended the concluding ceremony of the Post-centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Mangalore Diocese on Sunday and had also attended a convention of exporters in the city on Monday titled “Karnataka Export Vision: 2020”.
He always believed in the philosophy of Gita, which gives importance to karma. “You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action, Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty,” the words of Gita posted on his home page in fact remained guiding principle for him throughout his lfe.
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