BJP's Ballari Chalo march enters day six, Vijayendra trains guns on CM
On day six of the BJP's Ballari Chalo padayatra, B.Y. Vijayendra accused CM Shivakumar of neglecting farmers and visiting North Karnataka only after the march began.
The BJP's ten-day Ballari Chalo padayatra, led by State president B.Y. Vijayendra, completed its sixth day on Sunday with party leaders engaging with farmers and shepherding communities along the route in Koppal district.
Speaking to reporters at Jangamar Kalgudi near Gangavathi, Mr. Vijayendra intensified his attack on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, claiming that the latter's itinerary in North Karnataka was announced only after the BJP's march was made public.
He listed grievances including inadequate drought relief for farmers, staff shortages in schools and hospitals, and a reduction in the number of BPL cards that he said was depriving poor families of welfare benefits. He also raised the difficulties faced by shepherding communities, particularly in accessing education and healthcare for their children.
Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister's self-description as a 'public servant', Mr. Vijayendra said that wearing a suit and travelling by helicopter does not make one a public servant. "A public servant is one who responds to people's problems and brings a change in their lives," he said.
On the controversy surrounding the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, Mr. Vijayendra responded to Minister U.T. Khader's statement that former Minister B. Nagendra could return to the Cabinet after a clean chit. He demanded that the ₹187 crore allegedly involved in the case be recovered first before any such claims are made.
Mr. Vijayendra also accused the government of misplaced priorities, saying the Chief Minister was more focused on the Bidadi township and Kanakapura airport projects than on the concerns of farmers and vulnerable sections.
Earlier in the day, he visited a shepherding camp in Marali village, interacted with the community, and discussed crop losses due to drought with farmers, while also raising the need for the proposed Navali balancing reservoir.
During earlier legs of the march, Mr. Vijayendra took part in paddy transplantation, travelled in a bullock cart wearing a green shawl, and shared a meal with a farming family. Cultural programmes criticising the Congress government have accompanied the march, with women party workers participating in saffron attire.
Senior BJP leaders including Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, B. Sriramulu, Gali Janardhan Reddy, C.T. Ravi, and Doddanagouda H. Patil were present during the march.