Of late, we have been coming across political leaders resorting to oath taking in temples to give clean chit to themselves. They are also challenging their rivals to take similar oath in front of gods in popular temples to prove their innocence in any criminal activity.
Not that it is a new phenomenon – it was confined to bigger temples, particularly Lord Ganesha temple at Kanipakam, where one would fear taking oath to claim innocence because it is believed that he is a powerful god. But now, leaders are challenging their rivals for oath in any temple.
A few days ago, there was a similar challenge and counter-challenge beween YSR Congress MLA Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy and opposition Telugu Desam party leader Nallamilli Rama Krishna Reddy and both had taken oath at Bikkavolu Vinayaka temple in East Godavari district stating that each of them was honest and did not indulge in corruption.
However, both the YSRC and TDP leaders claimed that either of them did not take oath properly.
Similarly, YSRC MLA Gudivada Amarnath and TDP legislator Velagapudi Ramakrishna also challenged each other to take oath over land grabbing issue. Ramakrishna vowed to swear in the name of Sai Baba at the temple in East Colony in Visakhapatnam.
On Friday, YSRC MLA from Proddatur Rachamallu Sivaprasad Reddy took oath at Chowdamma temple in the town to claim his innocence in the murder of TDP leader Nandam Subbaiah three days ago. He was named as one of the accused in the murder case.
Interestingly, former minister and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh also on Friday offered to swear at Simhachalam Appanna temple on the allegations of corruption made against him by YSRC leaders.
He challenged whether chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also take an oath at Appanna temple on their party charges.
