The News Minute | July 6, 2014 | 1.20 pm ISTThe rains may have saved Energy Minister D K Shivakumar from embarrassment on Sunday.After admitting to a shortage of power in the state and stating the government’s inability to provide power, Shivkumar declared that he would perform a puja at a temple in Kigga, Chikmaglur district at government expense.On Saturday, he told reporters that he was going to pray for rain, come hell or high water. The New Indian Express quotes him as saying: “God is the only ray of hope for us. I am not bothered about criticism. I am going to Kigga to pray for rain”But several parts of the state received rains that night, to the extent that some places even saw flooding. It is unclear at this stage whether the minister has gone ahead with his plans to offer puja at the Rishyashringeshwara temple in Kigga.Apparently, a similar exercise had been carried out in 2003 as well. Shivakumar said: “We had held special prayers at this temple in 2003 when the State faced severe drought. I am going there once again to offer prayers to God. The puja is held on behalf of the State government.”Well, if he had gone ahead with his plans, there would have been a backlash from the opposition, and a fair amount of ridicule as well.When Shivkumar threw his hands up in despair and declared that only god could save the state, one leader retorted: “If that is the case, why do we need you?”