After we came to know each other, Kannada superstar Rajkumar was in touch with me. His wife Parvathamma also knew me well. When Indira Gandhi was shot dead, her body was kept in Delhi for people to pay their last respects. Violence had broken out in many parts of the country including Delhi. Prohibitory orders were clamped. Rajkumar wanted to pay his last respect. I had made all arrangements for his visit from receiving him at Delhi airport to taking him to Indira Gandhi's residence to dropping him back at Delhi airport.

When I was Finance Minister at the Centre, Income Tax Officials had conducted a raid on Rajkumar's residence and the hotel where he used to stay in Bengaluru. I had no prior information about the raid. When I came to know, I summoned the Officials and cautioned them to be extra careful. "Rajkumar is a very respectable man in Karnataka. Everybody loves him. If you conduct raids without proper information, Karnataka will be on fire," I told them.

Rajkumar by his sober and gentle behaviour has earned a special place in the hearts of Kannadigas. I was very disturbed when he was kidnapped by Veerappan. I contacted his family and expressed my solidarity with them. I also performed 'Urulu Seve' in Tirupati praying for his safe and early return. I gave prasadam to his family members and told them not to worry and that he will return safe. In Gokarnanatha Temple, we conduted a special puja. I prayed for his safe release at Milagres Church and Ullal Dargah. Prayers and good wishes of Kannadigas gave result. Rajkumar returned home safely.

He used to visit Kudroli Temple and offer prayers whenever he was in Mangaluru. His sons also come to the Temple. His elder son Shivarajakumar visited the Temple when he had come to inaugurate Mosaru Kudike programme at Kadri last year.

People from different places visit the Temple. Politicians also come. What attracts everybody is the cleanliness and the peaceful ambience in the Temple premises.

Rajiv Gandhi inaugurated the renovated Temple in the presence of Chandrashekhar Bharati Swamiji of Shringeri Mutt. The then Chief Minister Bangarappa and his Cabinet colleagues were also present.

Former Presidents Shankar Dayal Sharma, R Venkataraman, former PM P V Narasimha Rao, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde were amongst the prominent political leaders who visited the Temple over the years.

Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have performed puja in this Temple. West Bengal Congress leader Priyaranjan Das Munshi participated in the Dasara festival at the Temple.

Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited the Temple before he became Prime Minister.