BJP may intensify fight against Congress in Karnataka; next phase of agitation to be discussed

Bengaluru: The BJP appears to be planning to intensify its fight against the Congress government in Karnataka. Its senior leader and Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said that the party would decide on the next phase of the agitation in consultation with its national leadership.

A group of BJP leaders led by senior MPs Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jarkiholi are planning a 'padayatra' (foot march) to highlight the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam and to accuse the Congress government of diverting funds meant for the welfare of SC/STs for guarantee schemes.

Last month, the combined opposition of BJP and JD(S) had held a week-long protest march from Bengaluru to Mysuru demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged “scam” in land allotment by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

“There is no question of a first and second padayatra. All together, after a discussion with the national party president (JP Nadda) and the home minister (Amit Shah), the party will decide on the next phase of the fight (against the state government). So everyone will sit together, discuss and decide,” Joshi told reporters in New Delhi in response to a question.

On some differences of opinion within the party regarding holding another padayatra, he said, “…those who are of the opinion that another padayatra should be held have said that they will do it within the framework of the party forum and after approval from the national party president.” The march, planned by a section of the BJP led by Yatnal and Jarkiholi, who are reportedly unhappy with BJP state president BY Vijayendra and his father and long-time party chief BS Yediyurappa “controlling the state unit”, is seen as a counter movement to the Mysuru march led by Vijayendra.

Vijayendra had recently said he had no objection to another 'Padayatra', adding that the programme could go ahead if the party leadership gave its consent.

Asked about the BJP's complaints to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot against minister Priyank Kharge in connection with the allotment of land to a trust run by his family, Joshi said, “Two-three petitions have been submitted to the Governor and he will take a decision on them. It is too early to comment on it.”

On the Congress party's demand that the Governor should agree to prosecute JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, he said, “…the Chief Minister and Congress leaders are raising questions about Kumaraswamy. The case against Kumaraswamy covers 2005-2006 (period), then 2013-2018… At that time, the Congress government was under Siddaramaiah. Why did they remain silent then?”

He claimed that the Congress had pleaded with JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy after the 2018 general elections and appointed the latter as Chief Minister and asked, “Were the Congress leaders not aware of the charges against him then?”

“Are they remembering things only after the MUDA case and the Valmiki Corporation scam against Siddaramaiah and the Congress government came to light? … Are you playing this drama after the Governor imposed sanctions on you (CM)? People are aware of your drama.”