Raichur (Karnataka), Sep 4 (IANS) Many people joined the fourth day of the ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra on Friday, led by Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, which began from the Court Circle in Sindhanur on Friday and is scheduled to proceed towards Navali Cross in Karatagi.
The padayatra, organised to highlight what the BJP alleges are the failures of the state government, focussed on the alleged non-payment of social security pensions and wages to ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and guest lecturers.
Speaking to reporters after flagging off the fourth day’s padayatra, Vijayendra alleged that the state government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was distancing itself from the poor, agricultural labourers, farmers and weaker sections of society.
“The poorest people in the state have been pushed to a situation where they are cursing the government,” Vijayendra alleged.
He alleged that social security pensions, including old-age pensions and monthly assistance for persons with disabilities, had not reached beneficiaries for several months.
“The government, which should be a source of support for the poorest sections, is not responding to their difficulties,” Vijayendra alleged.
He further claimed that eligible beneficiaries were not receiving the full benefits of the Ganga Kalyana scheme and that the government had failed to provide houses to poor families without shelter.
“The government has reached a stage where it is unable to release even the funds meant for the welfare of the poor on time,” he said.
Vijayendra accused the government of neglecting farmers, agricultural labourers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other sections of society.
“On one hand, the government is immersed in promoting the five guarantees, while on the other, the real problems faced by the poorest people of the state are being ignored,” he alleged.
He said the state government had become a “curse” for the poorest sections and claimed that people across the state were growing dissatisfied with its administration.
Vijayendra urged the government to “come out of the illusion of the guarantees” and immediately address the genuine problems faced by the people.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karjol, former minister B. Sriramulu, former minister and MLA V. Sunil Kumar, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai and M.R. Patil, BJP state vice-president Raju Gowda Nayak, former minister Shivanagouda Nayak, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, state office-bearers, district presidents, former legislators and party workers participated in the padayatra.
–IANS
mka/rad