‘Ballari Chalo’ concludes today: BJP says struggle will continue until K’taka govt is sent home

Bengaluru: The 10-day Ballari Chalo protest march organised by the BJP against the Karnataka government will conclude in Ballari on Thursday, with BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, asserting that the party’s struggle would continue until the Congress government is sent home.

The protest march will be taken out from Valmiki Circle and reach the Ex-Municipal School Grounds by afternoon, where BJP leaders will garland the statue of Maharshi Valmiki. The padyatra will formally conclude at the Ex-Municipal School Grounds following the final programme scheduled for 4 p.m.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Union Ministers from Karnataka, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, BJP MPs and other prominent party leaders are expected to participate in the concluding programme.

Earlier on Thursday morning, Vijayendra, along with BJP MP Janardhana Reddy and former Minister B. Sriramulu, visited the Kanakadurgamma Temple in Ballari and offered special prayers.

Speaking to reporters after the temple visit, Vijayendra said the Ballary Chalo protest march would conclude at 4 p.m. after reaching the Ex-Municipal School Grounds, describing it as the first phase of the BJP’s agitation against the state government.

“This is only the end of the first phase of our struggle. For the next one-and-a-half years, until this government remains in power, our struggle will continue continuously against this anti-people government,” Vijayendra said.

He alleged that people across Karnataka were already in a mood to reject the state government and alleged that it had failed to benefit the poor, labourers, Dalits, marginalised sections, women and youth.

“Not a single section of society feels that it has benefited from this government,” he alleged.

Vijayendra also targeted Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, referring to his statement that he was “90 per cent businessman and 10 per cent politician”.

“This real estate Chief Minister and business-oriented Chief Minister cannot ensure the progress of the state,” Vijayendra claimed.

He further alleged that the government had failed to address several pressing issues concerning the North Karnataka region.

“Against this backdrop, the people of the state have decided to send this government back home. Our struggle will continue until this government is sent home,” he said.

Vijayendra also pointed to alleged differences within the Congress and said that even party legislators had been making critical statements about the Chief Minister.

“Leave aside the party workers; one has to look at what his own party MLAs are saying about Chief Minister Shivakumar,” he said.

He reiterated that the Ballari Chalo protest would have a wider political impact and said the BJP would continue raising issues concerning farmers, development and the interests of North Karnataka.

Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been made in Ballari ahead of the conclusion of the padayatra and the BJP convention. Around 1,200 police personnel have reportedly been deployed in the city to maintain law and order and regulate the movement of participants.

IANS