BJP to Launch Protest March Against Karnataka Government from September 1

Bengaluru, August 29: The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will conduct a protest march across nine assembly constituencies from September 1 to 10. Former minister and BJP leader B. Shriramulu announced this during the launch of the march’s logo at the party’s state office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Saturday.

The march will kick off on September 1 with a large public rally in Lingasugur and will conclude on September 10 in Bellary.

Shriramulu noted that several prominent leaders, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, and Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, are expected to attend the inauguration event.

The procession will traverse through nine assembly constituencies, including Lingasugur, Maski, Sindhanur, Karatagi, Gangavati, Kampli, Sandur, Bellary Rural, and Bellary City.

Shriramulu stated that the BJP has been campaigning both inside and outside the assembly for the resignation of former minister B. Nagendra over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam. He expressed gratitude to Vijayendra, opposition leaders, and legislators for raising this issue.

He mentioned that Nagendra had resigned twice on the same matter, which he deemed unusual. Shriramulu claimed that the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had acknowledged irregularities within the Valmiki Corporation.

He alleged that ₹87 crores were misappropriated, asserting that the corporation’s funds were misused to defeat the BJP in various districts during the Lok Sabha elections.

Shriramulu also criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, suggesting that he could have defended Nagendra but chose not to. He accused the Chief Minister of concluding that Nagendra should resign under pressure from the opposition.

Responding to Nagendra’s emotional remarks during his resignation, Shriramulu stated that the BJP is not responsible for his tears and blamed Congress for the situation. He emphasized that the BJP raised this issue not for political gain but in the interest of the future of children from the Scheduled Tribe community.

Furthermore, Shriramulu accused Nagendra of hypocrisy, recalling that he labeled BJP leaders as ‘Manuwadi,’ despite the support he received from BJP leaders like Janardhan Reddy during the 2013 elections.

He also referenced the death of Tribal Welfare Corporation officer Chandrashekar, alleging that the officer faced threats and harassment related to this case, leading to his suicide. He accused Nagendra and Congress of failing to stand with the deceased officer’s family.