K'taka polls: This tamarind tree in Gadag brings luck for candidates

With just 10 days to go for the May 5 assembly polls, candidates in Shirahatti and Ron constituencies in North Karnataka are seen making a beeline for a tamarind tree considered by many to be a lucky charm as lore has it that none who spend time under it has lost.

The tamarind tree, known to be the refuge of discontented souls, has in this case brought luck for the candidates who sit under it. Or, at least, they believe so. The tree, situated near Hemareddi circle in Mundargi taluk of Gadag district, has far reaching fame and candidates flock here to share their plans with the villagers and seek their votes.

Any leader who contests any election - from gram panchayat to assembly - makes it a point to visit the tree. Legend has it that candidates who spend time here under the tree, popularly known as "MLA Katte" with a stone bench around it, with the voters always emerge victorious.

This interesting saga of the tree began when S S Patil, a native of Kalkeri village contested the assembly polls on a Janata Dal ticket in 1994 and won. While campaigning Patil would sit under the tamarind tree and give a patient hearing to the villagers who would pour out their troubles to him.

He would then offer his suggestions and advice over hot cups of "kullad chaha" and "Mirchi Bajjis" (pakoras made of spice-filled green chillies). He would even address public meetings from this platform.

Patil not only won the election but went on to replicate the success in the next three polls till 2004 making the tree indispensable for the candidates in the district.