‘Bharat Jodo 2.0’: Congress launches padyatra from Karnataka BJP chief’s Shikaripura constituency

Shivamogga (Karnataka): The Karnataka Congress on Wednesday launched its ‘Bharat Jodo 2.0’ padyatra from Kittadahalli village in Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district, with the march passing through the constituency represented by BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra.

Vijayendra’s father and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had earlier represented the constituency.

The ‘Bharat Jodo 2.0’ padyatra is scheduled to cover around 9-10 kms and will pass through Kote, Hosanagara Cross and Nelavodlu before concluding at Shikaripura. A convention has been organised at the APMC grounds following the march.

KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad, Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Muzrai Minister K.S. Basavanthappa and other senior Congress leaders are participating in the padyatra.

The ‘Bharat Jodo 2.0’ padyatra has been planned across 84 Assembly constituencies where the Congress lost in the 2023 Assembly elections. The campaign is expected to continue for 84 days and cover 29 districts. The party has said the programme will focus on interacting with people and discussing local issues, including drought and farmers’ concerns.

Speaking to reporters during the padyatra, Hariprasad alleged that Vijayendra had got Congress flags and posters removed.

“Vijayendra Yediyurappa has got the Congress party’s flags and posters torn. He is still a LKG child. I have got a PhD and doctorate in such matters. If I want, I can ensure that nowhere do their flags and banners come up. We have that capacity,” he said.

Hariprasad, however, said such actions should not be taken by Vijayendra as the State BJP president and stressed that political parties have the right to stage protests in a democracy.

“This mischief should not be done. Vijayendra should not do this being the State BJP president. In a democracy, we have the right to stage a protest. If our symbols, flags and banners are torn, BJP flags, banners and posters will also be taken out,” he said.

Referring to the BJP’s recent protest march, Hariprasad alleged that the BJP’s padyatra passed through drought-hit taluks but did not raise the issue of drought.

He also targeted Vijayendra over corruption allegations, claiming that the Shikaripura MLA was a “model for the whole world” when it came to corruption. He alleged that Vijayendra had received a Rs 17 crore bribe through an RTGS transaction in his father’s name.

IANS