Bengaluru ,2 September (HS):

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday launched a 10-day padayatra from Lingasugur in Raichur district to Ballari, intensifying its campaign against the Congress government over alleged corruption, diversion of welfare funds, inadequate drought relief and the neglect of North Karnataka.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa flagged off the march following a public meeting at Lingasugur. BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra, Assembly Opposition Leader R. Ashok, former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanswamy and former Minister C.T. Ravi were among those who attended the programme.

The march was initially planned to demand the resignation of Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra over alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Although Nagendra subsequently resigned, the BJP decided to proceed with the campaign and expand its focus to other allegations against the government.

Addressing party workers, Yediyurappa described the padayatra as the beginning of a renewed political struggle against what he called the misrule and corruption of the Congress administration.

He also questioned whether Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had the freedom to independently discharge his responsibilities. Yediyurappa alleged that the Chief Minister depended excessively on the Congress central leadership and frequently travelled to Delhi for decisions.

Vijayendra said the BJP would continue its agitation until the ₹187 crore allegedly misappropriated in the Valmiki corporation case was recovered and returned to the State exchequer.

He further alleged that nearly ₹50,000 crore earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had been diverted to finance the Congress government's guarantee schemes.

During the march, BJP leaders are expected to hold public meetings and interact with residents to highlight drought-related distress, regional disparities and alleged failures in implementing development projects across North Karnataka.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman