BENGALURU: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) opposition alliance in Karnataka launched a 10-day ‘Mysore Chalo’ padayatra from Kengeri in Bengaluru to Mysore on Saturday, addressing alleged corruption in the Siddaramiah government involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Valmiki Corporation scams. The BJP claims that the Congress government has been involved in corrupt activities since it came into power and is misusing public funds.
According to Karnataka BJP General Secretary P Rajeev, the padayatra is a protest against what they consider the corrupt actions of the current Karnataka government.He stated, “The Congress govt which was formed in Karnataka, from day one, has been engaged in corruption activities. Tax money is being used for election purposes. The whole cabinet is engaged in illegal and corrupt activities MUDA, diversion of SC, ST fund and misusing of government fund, Valmiki corporation (scam) amount has been used literally to purchase the liquor and car and gold so in this situation being an opposition party, BJP has taken this very seriously and today we are starting our Padayatra, Mysore Chalo.”
BJP state President BY Vijayendra and his family visited the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore before embarking on the padayatra. Vijayendra emphasized that the opposition’s struggle is focused on representing the people’s voice and protecting their rights.
“Our ‘Mysore Chalo’ struggle is not person-centred, standing as the voice of the people and protecting the wealth and rights of the people is a struggle of our sincere concern. By that, it is inevitable to remove the corrupt Congress government of the state. In this regard, we are requesting everyone’s cooperation and support for this huge walk to represent the people’s anger, I request the public to join hands with us in this regard,” Vijayendra said.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticized the BJP’s padayatra, suggesting that they were making an issue out of a non-issue. He questioned the BJP’s achievements during their time in power.
“Congress wants to ask them what they have done in their tenure. It was the most scandalous government BJP ever had. They are doing padayatra for nothing, they are trying to make an issue out of a non-issue,” Shivakumar said.
Previously, the Karnataka Governor issued a show-cause notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 27 following a complaint by social activist Snehamayi Krishna. Krishna’s complaint accused Siddaramaiah and nine others of forging documents to claim compensation from MUDA. The allegations include wrongdoing by Siddaramaiah’s family members and the creation of fake documents by MUDA to obtain plots worth crores of rupees.
This padayatra and the ongoing accusations against the Siddaramaiah government have stirred substantial political tension in Karnataka, with both sides making serious allegations against each other in the lead-up to its completion.