<p>Senior BJP leader B J Puttaswamy on Friday was initiated into a spiritual life of asceticism, renouncing a political career that spanned four decades. </p>.<p>Puttaswamy, 83, will be anointed as the first pontiff of the Thaileshwara Ganigara Mahasamsthana Mutt on May 15. He will be known as Poornanandapuri Swami. </p>.<p>On Friday, Puttaswamy, who belongs to the Ganiga community, received deekshe from Kailasa Ashrama Mahasamsthana Mutt seer Jayendra Puri. On Thursday, he was initiated into a life of bhramacharya. </p>.<p>A confidant of former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Puttaswamy served as minister and was, until recently, the vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission. </p>.<p>Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other political leaders are expected to attend his coronation as a pontiff on May 15. </p>
<p>Senior BJP leader B J Puttaswamy on Friday was initiated into a spiritual life of asceticism, renouncing a political career that spanned four decades. </p>.<p>Puttaswamy, 83, will be anointed as the first pontiff of the Thaileshwara Ganigara Mahasamsthana Mutt on May 15. He will be known as Poornanandapuri Swami. </p>.<p>On Friday, Puttaswamy, who belongs to the Ganiga community, received deekshe from Kailasa Ashrama Mahasamsthana Mutt seer Jayendra Puri. On Thursday, he was initiated into a life of bhramacharya. </p>.<p>A confidant of former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Puttaswamy served as minister and was, until recently, the vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission. </p>.<p>Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other political leaders are expected to attend his coronation as a pontiff on May 15. </p>
