Temple face off between Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy on June 27

On a day when charges and counter charges flew thick and fast,Yeddyurappa invited Kumaraswamy to come to Dharmasthala and swear by Lord Manjunatha that his aide tried to lure him into a “compromise formula” to end their hostilities.

Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy have been digging out dirt against each other levelling charges of corruption and nepotism during their respective regimes.

The temple testimony started with Kumaraswamy on Thursday accusing Yeddyurappa of trying to buy peace with him,a claim quickly refuted by the Chief Minister,who challenged him to swear before Lord Manjunatha through an open letter in newspapers.

As Kumaraswamy accepted the gauntlet,Yeddyurappa’s ministerial colleagues came out with the date for taking the issue to the divinity.

Lehar Singh,an MLC and a trusted aide of Yeddyurappa,who allegedly contacted Kumaraswamy,refuted having played the role of a mediator.

“Yes I will be there on June 26 night itself and testify before the God on my statement the next day,” Kumaraswamy,who has been persistently targeting Yeddyurappa on corruption charges,said.

Reacting to the open letter published by Yeddyurappa inviting him to prove his charge,Kumaraswamy said “I am ready to come to Dharmasthala tomorrow itself between 11.30 to 12 noon. Will Yeddyurappa come with his messenger?”

Hours after Kumaraswamy’s invitation,Ministers R Ashoka,B N Bacchegowda,Somanna fixed June 27 as the date for the temple face off between Yeddyurappa family and Kumaraswamy.