Karnataka: From Drought-Hit Fields To Public Meeting, Vijayendra Keeps Ballari Chalo Moving On Day 2

The day began with Vijayendra attacking the government over allegations of corruption and commissions, particularly the complaint made by Puttur Congress MLA K Ashok Kumar Rai to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over an alleged 7 per cent collection from contractors.

“The fact that a ruling party MLA himself has written to the Chief Minister about commissions shows how far the menace has spread in the state. If there are allegations that 7 per cent has to be paid in the name of a minister, people can understand the state of the administration,” Vijayendra said.
He said the BJP's campaign had reached a stage where even legislators from the ruling party were questioning the government.

But much of the day's march unfolded away from the mikes and stages as Vijayendra utilized the Padayatra to go amidst the people and interact with them.

At Bedara Karlukunti on the outskirts of Raichur district, Vijayendra who was accompanied by leaders including former minister B Sriramulu and MLA Raju Gowda stepped away from the marching route to inspect fields affected by the deficient rainfall. They examined the damaged sajje crop and spoke to farmers about the losses they were facing.

The field visit also gave Vijayendra an opportunity to turn the drought into another political issue. He questioned the government's decision to declare only 101 taluks drought-hit when several other areas were also facing severe rainfall deficiency.

“Do farmers now have to pay a commission even to get their taluks declared drought-hit?” he asked sarcastically, demanding that all eligible taluks be brought under the drought declaration and relief measures extended to affected farmers.

As the march moved ahead, Vijayendra also sat down with Dalit leaders to hear their concerns. The discussion covered the use of SCP-TSP funds, education, employment, self-employment and various development schemes meant for the community.

Vijayendra alleged that funds earmarked for Dalits, tribal communities and other marginalised sections were being diverted to meet the expenditure on guarantee schemes.

“We are not against spending money on guarantee schemes. But the government should tell people whose money is being used. How is it justified to use money meant for the development of Dalits and tribal communities for guarantee schemes?” he asked.

He alleged that funds meant for scholarships, higher and overseas education, skill development, self-employment and housing were being diverted and sought clarification from the government over the alleged diversion of around Rs 52,000 crore in SCP-TSP funds during the last three years.

The BJP also released documents relating to allocations made to various development corporations, with Vijayendra alleging that funding to such bodies had been reduced compared to the previous BJP government.

He claimed that the corporations had received around Rs 700 crore to Rs 800 crore during the BJP's tenure but were not receiving the same level of funding under the Congress government. He also alleged that even allocations announced in the Budget were not being fully released.

He also demanded that money allegedly diverted from the Valmiki Development Corporation be brought back and used for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.

By the time the padayatra reached Maski, the political campaign had taken on a more public character. Women welcomed Vijayendra with aarti as he entered the town. He garlanded the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar and later paid floral tributes to Maharshi Valmiki at Valmiki Circle.

At the public meeting that followed, Vijayendra returned to the larger political message of the march, accusing the Congress government of corruption, alleged commission practices, failure to tackle drought and neglect of farmers and marginalised communities.

He also challenged the government to seek a fresh mandate if it was unable to govern.
“If you cannot run the government, dissolve the Assembly, go before the people and face an election. Is the Congress ready to accept the people's verdict?” he asked.

Vijayendra said the padayatra was intended to put pressure on the government to respond to issues that, he alleged, had been ignored in North Karnataka.

“The government had forgotten where North Karnataka was. After our padayatra, it has been forced to talk about the drought situation and the declaration of drought-hit taluks. This is the result of the people's struggle,” he said.

The day also witnessed Vijayendra personally serving food to some of the workers and party activists accompanying the march.

After the public meeting at Maski, the procession resumed towards Ballari. After covering around 22 km, the second day's padayatra came to an end at Gududur.

For the BJP, however, the day's march was as much about making political points as it was about putting Vijayendra and the party's campaign in direct contact with farmers, Dalit leaders and people along the route.

The Padayatra will resume on Thursday- the 3rd day from Gududur.