Raichur, September 1: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commenced its ten-day ‘Ballari Chalo’ foot march from Lingasugur in Karnataka’s Raichur district on Tuesday. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa asserted that the party’s movement will persist until the ‘anti-farmer, anti-people, and corrupt’ state government is removed from power.
Describing the march as a ‘clarion call’ for the aspirations of six crore Kannadigas, Yediyurappa stated that this initiative, led by BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, marks the beginning of a campaign against the state government.
Yediyurappa declared, “This movement will continue until we oust this government, which is intoxicated by power and is anti-farmer, anti-people, anti-development, anti-women, and steeped in corruption.”
The march was formally inaugurated with a farmers’ anthem. Yediyurappa emphasized that this event is not merely an election campaign meeting but a struggle initiated with the resolve to remove the ‘corrupt government.’
He questioned Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s autonomy, claiming that the Chief Minister must travel to Delhi for every decision and ‘hold Rahul Gandhi’s feet.’
“Are you really the Chief Minister? Does this enhance the dignity of the Chief Minister’s position?” he asked.
Yediyurappa urged the public to support the march, stating that it is just the first step in the BJP’s fight against the alleged corruption and ‘loot’ by the government.
BJP co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy claimed that the state government is ‘anti-Dalit, anti-farmer, anti-ST, and anti-women,’ alleging rampant corruption.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai mentioned that the BJP has planned various movements on different issues in Karnataka. He stated, “In the coming days, we will have to struggle on several issues in Karnataka. Let us all be prepared for this. We will work step by step for the people of Karnataka and raise your voice. We request you to walk shoulder to shoulder with us.”
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar noted that the BJP is marching to warn the D.K. Shivakumar government. He credited the BJP’s movement for compelling former minister B. Nagendra to resign and congratulated all leaders participating in the protest.
Shettar also alleged that the Congress cabinet is divided among D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and high-command factions, claiming that only donors are being appointed as Chief Ministers and ministers.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council R. Ashok accused the Siddaramaiah government of ‘looting’ the people, while the Shivakumar government is ‘cutting into their pockets’ by increasing taxes.
He claimed that 175 talukas are facing drought, yet the government has only declared 101 talukas as drought-affected.
Ashok stated, “This government has no money. Declare the remaining talukas as drought-affected, or else the people will declare your government bankrupt.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy described the ten-day march as a movement for the people, alleging that the government has failed to construct toilets and misused funds received from the center.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol asserted that the BJP is fighting against the misgovernance of the state. Former minister B. Shriramul stated that the government is running the state ‘from a palace’ and pushing people onto the streets. He alleged that corruption has increased, law and order has deteriorated, and farmers are migrating due to drought.
Former minister C.T. Ravi emphasized that this movement is for the benefit of the people, alleging that farmers and the general public are suffering due to drought and rising prices.
Referencing Nagendra’s resignation and alleging that money looted from the Valmiki Corporation has not returned to the state treasury, Ravi remarked, “On one side, people are troubled by drought, and on the other, there is a government that has failed.”
Former minister Janardhan Reddy stated that the commencement of the BJP’s march from Lingasugur is a positive sign, claiming that Nagendra’s resignation is just the beginning for the BJP.
He demanded the allocation of ₹20,000 crores for the construction of the Navali reservoir, asserting that the BJP will return to power in 2028.
Program director and BJP state general secretary P. Rajiv accused the state government of adopting a discriminatory attitude in declaring drought-affected areas and failing to take adequate measures for relief.
Legislator Manappa Vajjala mentioned that the march will proceed from Lingasugur to Ballari, aiming to expose the government’s alleged irregularities, scams, and failures to the public.
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