Priya Krishna prefers his ancestors' approval to his colleagues'
Priya Krishna prefers his ancestors' approval to his colleagues' 'Pitru Paksha', a religious ritual for honouring one's ancestors, has kept first-time MLA Priya Krishna from taking his oath on Wednesday.
Congress candidate Krishna (25), who defeated former BJP minister V Somanna in the Govindrajnagar by-polls, did not attend the assembly on Wednesday, the first day of the six-day special session.u00a0
u00a0"He didn't take oath as its pitru paksha," said a source close to Priya Krishna. "He feared it may bring bad luck if he starts his political career during this period." This is the second time he has backed off from taking oath on a scheduled date. Krishna himself confirmed this, saying "The oath taking ceremony was earlier scheduled on September 4. But it didn't happen as Dr YS Rajashekar Reddy passed away. Now I decided to back out as it's pitru paksha."
However, the new MLA made it a point to visit Vidhan Soudha and exchange greetings with fellow leaders on Wednesday.
"I went to the premises but didn't visit the assembly floor. I will do so once pitru paksha is over as I don't want to start my career one of these days," added Krishna.
Four of his fellow MLAs from Ramnagar, Chittapur, Kollegal and Channapatna took their oaths on Wednesday.
Fortnight of the dead
Pitru paksha is a fortnight that comes once in a year during which rituals are performed in the name of one's ancestors. It is generally regarded as inauspicious, because of the belief that any new ventures, including marriages, naming ceremony and house warming, done during this fortnight wouldn't last long. This year's pitru paksha is being observed from September 4 to September 18.
"These are dark days as per Hindu religion and are dedicated to the dead," said Satyanarayan Rao, an astrologer. "New ventures are strictly prohibited."
