Raichur (Karnataka), Sep 1 (IANS) The BJP on Tuesday launched its 10-day ‘Ballari Chalo’ padyatra from Lingasugur in Raichur district, with former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa claiming that the party’s agitation would continue until the “anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt” state government is removed from power.
Describing the padyatra as a “trumpet call” for the aspirations of six crore Kannadigas, Yediyurappa said the march, led by BJP state president, B.Y. Vijayendra, marked the beginning of a campaign against the state government.
“The agitation will continue until this government, which is riding high on power, is anti-farmer, anti-people, anti-development, anti-women and steeped in corruption, is removed,” Yediyurappa claimed.
The padayatra was formally inaugurated with the singing of the farmers’ anthem.
Yediyurappa said the event was not an election campaign meeting but the beginning of a struggle with a resolve to remove the “corrupt government”.
Questioning Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s independence, Yediyurappa said the Chief Minister had to travel to Delhi and “hold Rahul Gandhi’s feet” for every decision.
“Are you really the Chief Minister? Does this bring dignity to the post of Chief Minister?” he asked.
Appealing to people to extend their support to the padyatra, Yediyurappa said it was only the first step in the BJP’s fight against the government’s alleged corruption and “loot”.
BJP co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy claimed the state government was “anti-Dalit, anti-farmer, anti-ST and anti-women” and alleged that it was highly corrupt.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the BJP had a series of agitations planned across Karnataka on various issues.
“There are days of struggle ahead across Karnataka on various issues. Let us all be prepared. We will work step by step for the people of Karnataka and raise your voice. We request you to stand shoulder to shoulder with us,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the BJP was undertaking the padyatra to warn the D.K. Shivakumar government.
He credited the BJP’s agitation with forcing former Minister B. Nagendra to resign and congratulated all the leaders who had participated in the protest.
Shettar also alleged that the Congress Cabinet was divided into the D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and high-command groups, and claimed that those who had made donations were being made Chief Minister and ministers.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council R. Ashoka alleged that while the Siddaramaiah government had “robbed” people, the Shivakumar government was “pickpocketing” them through tax hikes.
He claimed that 175 taluks were facing drought but the government had declared only 101 taluks drought-hit.
“There is no money with this government. Declare the remaining taluks as drought-hit, or people will declare your government bankrupt,” Ashoka said.
Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy described the 10-day padyatra as a movement for the people and alleged that the government had failed to construct toilets and had misappropriated funds received from the Centre.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol said the BJP was fighting against the alleged misgovernance of the government.
Former minister B. Sriramulu accused the government of running the state “from a palace” and pushing people onto the streets. He alleged that corruption had increased, law and order had deteriorated and farmers were migrating due to the drought.
Former minister C.T. Ravi said the agitation was being held in the interest of the people and alleged that farmers and the public were suffering due to drought and rising prices.
“On one side, people are suffering because of drought, while on the other is a government that has failed,” Ravi said, referring to Nagendra’s resignation and alleging that the money allegedly looted from the Valmiki Corporation had not returned to the treasury.
Former minister Janardhana Reddy said the launch of the BJP’s padyatra from Lingasugur was a positive sign and claimed that Nagendra’s resignation was only the beginning for the BJP.
He demanded that Rs 20,000 crore be allocated for construction of the Navali reservoir and claimed that the BJP would return to power in 2028.
BJP state general secretary P. Rajeev, who compered the programme, alleged that the state government had acted unfairly in declaring drought-hit areas and had failed to take adequate measures to provide relief.
MLA Manappa Vajjal said the padyatra would proceed from Lingasugur to Ballari and was aimed at highlighting the alleged irregularities, scams and failures of the government before the people.
–IANS
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