‘Ballari Chalo’ Is Only First Phase Of BJP’s Fight Against Cong: Vijayendra
Vijayendra said the BJP expected 40,000 to 50,000 people to attend the concluding programme, adding that the enthusiasm among the people was difficult to gauge.
Ballari: The BJP’s 10-day ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra will conclude in Ballari on Thursday, but the party’s campaign against the Congress government will continue, BJP state president BY Vijayendra said on Wednesday.
“The 10-day padayatra will conclude tomorrow, but this is not the end of our struggle. Only the first phase of our fight against the Congress government, which is immersed in corruption, will end. Our people-oriented struggle will continue,” he told reporters, defining the Padayatra as a major turning point in his political career.
He said the padayatra had received support from BJP workers and the public who had come from different parts of the state.
After visiting temples on Thursday morning, the party would resume the march from Valmiki Circle to the meeting venue. The public meeting would begin at 4.30 pm.
Former Chief Ministers BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, former Union minister Jagadish Shettar, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and state BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal are among the senior leaders expected to attend the meeting.
Vijayendra said the BJP expected 40,000 to 50,000 people to attend the concluding programme, adding that the enthusiasm among the people was difficult to gauge.
He, however, objected to the district administration fixing 6.30 pm as the deadline for the programme.
Vijayendra said the BJP would conduct the programme within the law but alleged that officials should not use legal restrictions to obstruct the protest.
He also alleged that BJP banners had been removed overnight and accused the government of putting pressure on officials.
Calling the campaign a major turning point in his political career, Vijayendra said the interaction with different sections of society during the padayatra had given him a better understanding of their problems.
“This is a struggle I will never forget. I have interacted with women, nomadic communities, farmers and youngsters and understood their lives and their difficulties from close quarters. This has given me immense satisfaction and laid a strong foundation for my political career,” he said.
He claimed that the padayatra had created a new sense of hope among people who, he alleged, were disappointed with the Congress government.
“The government came to power with the five guarantees as its main agenda, but development has come to a standstill. The government is behaving as though it is blind despite having eyes,” he said.
He claimed there was a growing demand for the Congress government to be replaced and for a government that would provide justice to farmers, women, the poor, Dalits and backward communities.
Vijayendra said the BJP would face the next elections under the collective leadership of its senior leaders, with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
