Bengaluru, 26 August (H.S.): The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party will launch a 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari on September 1 to highlight the alleged failures, corruption and irregularities of the Congress government.

Announcing the programme in Bengaluru, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said the march would cover nearly 200 km before concluding on September 10. The Janata Dal (Secular), the BJP’s coalition partner, has extended its support to the campaign.

Several Union Ministers and senior leaders of both parties are expected to participate in the inauguration and concluding programmes. Vijayendra said the march would seek to raise public awareness about alleged corruption, irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission and other controversies involving the State government.

Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok also accused the government of abruptly ending the legislature session to avoid sustained scrutiny from the Opposition.

They said the BJP had intensified its demand for the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra, who has been chargesheeted in a case involving the alleged embezzlement of funds earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities.

Ashok claimed that the government decided to curtail the session after the Opposition announced plans to stage a dharna demanding Nagendra’s resignation.

He said the BJP was prepared to discuss a range of issues and had gathered supporting documents. Party teams had visited drought-affected districts, while a committee had studied the situation.

The BJP had also collected material relating to alleged irregularities in NICE toll collection, KPSC recruitment and Bengaluru garbage tenders, Ashok said.

The Opposition had further planned to question the government about its agreement with industrialist Gautam Adani in connection with the proposed tunnel-road project. However, Ashok alleged that the government ended the session without allowing adequate discussion on these matters.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman