K'taka BJP to launch 175-km ‘Ballari Chalo’ march over tribal welfare scam, failure of Cong govt

Ballari (Karnataka), Sep 1 (AHN) The Karnataka BJP is all set to launch its 10-day, 175-km “Ballari Chalo” protest march on Tuesday from Lingasagur in Raichur district to Ballari, targeting the Congress government over the alleged tribal welfare scam and what it termed the government’s failure on various fronts.

The protest march, which will continue until September 10, is being led by prominent BJP leaders, including State President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka and R. Narayanaswamy. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will also attend the inauguration.

The march will be inaugurated near the Bengaluru Bypass Road in Lingasagur. Following the inauguration and a convention, BJP leaders and workers will undertake a 12-km protest march on the first day.

Before beginning the march, BJP leaders are scheduled to visit the Gurugunta Amareshwara Temple. The leaders will later stay overnight at Santekalluru Ghana Matheshwara Mutt.

The BJP has planned two public meetings every day along the route as part of the protest. The march will pass through nine Assembly constituencies across Raichur, Koppal and Ballari districts in the North Karnataka region.

The route includes Lingasagur, Maski and Sindhanur in Raichur district, followed by Karatagi and Gangavathi in Koppal district. In Ballari district, the march will pass through Kudatini and Kampli before reaching Ballari, the final destination.

The concluding convention will be held in Ballari on September 10 after the protest march reaches the city.

The BJP has said the march is primarily aimed at highlighting the alleged irregularities in the tribal welfare department and demanding accountability from the Congress government. The party is also using the protest to raise issues concerning what it describes as the overall failure of the state government.

Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka stated, "We have exposed the Congress government’s corruption in the Assembly, taken on the arrogance of those involved in corruption, and secured the resignation of those tainted by the alleged looting of funds meant for Dalits."

He further appealed: "Now, let us take to the streets in a "Ballari Chalo" protest march against the government’s series of failures."

"Let us unite against a government that has failed to respond to the hardships faced by farmers and is encouraging corruption. Our fight will continue until Karnataka and Kannadigas get a people-centric and development-oriented government," he stated.

The “Ballari Chalo” march comes amid the BJP’s sustained campaign against the Congress government over the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.