BJP to Launch 10-Day Raichur to Ballari Padayatra Against Karnataka Government

Announcing the party's plans in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president B.Y. Vijayendra said that the party will launch a 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari starting September 1. The foot march aims to raise awareness regarding alleged failures and corruption under the Congress-led Karnataka government.

The 200-kilometre padayatra is scheduled to take place from September 1 to September 10. The BJP’s coalition partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), is backing the march. According to Mr. Vijayendra, various Central Ministers are set to participate in both the inaugural and concluding events of the campaign.

The announcement came a day after the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka State legislature was adjourned abruptly. Mr. Vijayendra stated that the march would focus on highlighting multiple issues, including alleged corruption and scams involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Both Mr. Vijayendra and the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok, accused the State government of prematurely ending the legislature session to avoid confrontation with the Opposition. They claimed the ruling party feared sustained attacks over demands for the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra, who has been chargesheeted in a case concerning the alleged embezzlement of funds designated for Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

Mr. Ashok claimed that the State government cut the session short after the Opposition declared plans to hold a dharna seeking Mr. Nagendra’s resignation. He maintained that the Opposition was prepared to discuss a wide range of public issues, but the government was unwilling to face debate.

According to Mr. Ashok, BJP leaders had toured several districts to conduct studies on drought conditions and had constituted a dedicated drought study committee. He added that the party had compiled documentation on several matters, including irregularities linked to NICE toll collection, KPSC operations, and a garbage tender scam in Bengaluru.

Mr. Ashok further stated that the Opposition had planned to raise questions regarding agreements involving industrialist Gautam Adani in connection with the tunnel road project, but alleged that the government gave no opportunity to speak.