Day 2 of BJP’s Ballari Chalo padayatra: Vijayendra asserts NDA will return to power in Karnataka

Raichur (Karnataka), Sep 3 (IANS) The BJP’s 10-day Ballari Chalo padayatra, led by state president B.Y. Vijayendra, completed its second day on Wednesday after covering around 22 km, with the party targeting the Congress government over alleged corruption, commission practices, drought mismanagement and diversion of funds meant for Dalit and other marginalised communities.

The second day of the padayatra included visits to drought-hit areas and inspection of crop damage, interactions with Dalit leaders, garlanding of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s statue in Maski, a public meeting and the release of documents relating to funds allocated by the government to various development corporations.

Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra demanded that the Congress government issue a white paper on the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for Dalit welfare.

He alleged that funds under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) had been diverted to other departments and accused the government of failing to adequately fund development corporations for various communities.

Vijayendra claimed that the previous BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa had allocated Rs 850 crore to various development corporations, while the Congress government had provided only Rs 450 crore.

“A government that has done injustice to Dalits has no moral right or credibility to speak about their welfare,” he said.

Vijayendra expressed confidence that a BJP-led NDA government would return to power in Karnataka, saying the people were waiting to remove the Congress government.

“Just as it is certain that the sun and moon exist, it is certain that a BJP-led NDA government will come to power in the coming days. No one can stop it,” he said.

He said the Congress had already implemented five guarantee schemes and described the BJP’s return to power as the “sixth guarantee”.

“The people have decided to send this government home. A government committed to farmers will come to power,” Vijayendra said.

He added that the 10-day padayatra would not mark the end of the BJP’s campaign.

“The padayatra will conclude in Ballari, but our fight will continue until the NDA government comes to power,” he said.

Vijayendra said the BJP would construct the proposed Navali reservoir, which he described as essential for the region, if it returned to power.

He accused the Congress government of neglecting North Karnataka and alleged that it was more focused on real estate activities.

Vijayendra also criticised the government’s handling of the drought situation, alleging that ministers and legislators had failed to respond adequately to farmers’ problems.

“Farmers are unable to harvest the crops they sowed. Those who have suffered losses have reached a situation where they are contemplating suicide. We have to take the fight to the streets against the government’s failure,” he said.

He claimed that the government had moved towards declaring additional taluks drought-affected only after the BJP announced its padayatra.

Former minister B. Sriramulu, who addressed the padayatra in Maski, also expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028.

He accused the Congress of shedding “crocodile tears” over Dalit issues while allegedly diverting SCSP and TSP funds and neglecting the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Sriramulu also alleged that farmers demanding water were facing police cases amid severe drought conditions.

“When the BJP comes to power in 2028, all cases registered against farmers will be withdrawn,” he said.

MLA Doddangouda Patil described the padayatra as a campaign aimed at ensuring the BJP’s victory in the 2028 Assembly elections. He said the programme was receiving public support across the region and expressed confidence that better days would come under Vijayendra’s leadership.

–IANS

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