BJP launches 10-day 'Ballari Chalo' march targeting Karnataka Congress over tribal welfare allegations

BJP's 'Ballari Chalo' padayatra begins in Raichur

The Karnataka BJP launched its 10-day 'Ballari Chalo' padayatra on Tuesday from Lingasugur in Raichur district, according to multiple reports. The march, which is the party's latest agitation against the Congress-led state government, was flagged off from Gurugunta near Lingasugur and will conclude in Ballari on September 10, as reported by The Times of India.

Former Chief Minister S. Yediyurappa sounded the bugle at a public meeting attended by BJP state president Y. Vijayendra, former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, opposition leader R. Ashoka, and opposition leader in the legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, along with several MPs and MLAs, according to The Times of India.

The march covered 10 km on its opening day and is scheduled to stretch 170 km over the next ten days, passing through nine Assembly constituencies across Raichur, Koppal and Ballari districts, as reported by The Times of India. The route includes Lingasugur, Maski, Sindhanur, Karatagi, Gangavathi, Kudatini, Kampli and Ballari city, according to Lokmat Times.

BJP leaders are scheduled to visit the Gurugunta Amareshwara Temple before beginning the march and will stay overnight at the Santekalluru Ghana Matheshwara Mutt, as reported by Lokmat Times. The party has planned two public meetings daily along the route, with a concluding convention scheduled in Ballari on September 10, according to Lokmat Times.

Allegations against the state government

The BJP says the march aims to highlight alleged irregularities in the tribal welfare department and demand accountability from the Congress government, according to Lokmat Times. The party is also raising issues concerning what it describes as the overall failure of the state government, as reported by Lokmat Times.

The campaign was originally announced to protest the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam and the BJP's demand for B. Nagendra's resignation as minister, but was later widened to cover broader charges against the government, according to The Times of India.

Former Chief Minister S. Yediyurappa claimed the party's agitation would continue until the "anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt" state government is removed from power, as reported by Lokmat Times. Describing the padayatra as a "trumpet call" for the aspirations of six crore Kannadigas, Yediyurappa said the march marked the beginning of a campaign against the state government, according to Lokmat Times.

Yediyurappa also questioned Chief Minister K. Shivakumar's independence, saying the Chief Minister had to travel to Delhi and "hold Rahul Gandhi's feet" for every decision, as reported by Lokmat Times. "Are you really the Chief Minister? Does this bring dignity to the post of Chief Minister?" he asked, according to Lokmat Times.

Opposition leader R. Ashoka turned the spotlight on the government's finances and drought response, alleging people were being burdened with higher taxes, as reported by The Times of India. He questioned why only 101 of 175 drought-hit taluks had been declared drought-affected, calling the government financially bankrupt, according to The Times of India.

"We have exposed the Congress government's corruption in the Assembly, taken on the arrogance of those involved in corruption, and secured the resignation of those tainted by the alleged looting of funds meant for Dalits," Ashoka stated, as reported by Lokmat Times. He appealed, "Now, let us take to the streets in a 'Ballari Chalo' protest march against the government's series of failures," according to Lokmat Times.

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, as reported by Lokmat Times.

Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar called B. Nagendra's resignation as minister the "party's first victory", according to The Times of India. He also alleged that the Congress Cabinet was divided into the K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and high-command groups, as reported by Lokmat Times.

Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged the government had failed to build toilets and misappropriated central funds, as reported by both Lokmat Times and The Times of India.

Former minister Janardhana Reddy demanded Rs 20,000 crore for the Navali reservoir and claimed the BJP would return to power in 2028, according to Lokmat Times.

Absence of JD(S)

The ally Janata Dal (Secular) was conspicuously missing from the march, according to The Times of India. The BJP had earlier said JD(S) would join the protest and Union Minister D. Kumaraswamy would inaugurate the padayatra, as reported by The Times of India. No explanation was offered by either side for the coalition partner's absence, according to The Times of India.