Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 7: Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, will officially kick off the BJP’s Janakrosh Yatra on Monday, April 7 from Mysuru, the hometown of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Yatra aims to spotlight what the BJP alleges to be widespread corruption within the Congress-led government of Karnataka.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, BJP state president B.S. Vijayendra confirmed that Joshi would formally launch the Yatra in the afternoon. "I will offer special prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, accompanied by other senior BJP leaders. All top party leaders will participate in the Yatra," he stated.
The Janakrosh Yatra will unfold in four phases, Vijayendra revealed. "It starts today in Mysuru. On Tuesday, the Yatra will cover Mandya in the morning and Hassan in the evening. On Wednesday, we will move on to Madikeri and Mangaluru. Our plan is to reach every district in the state," he added.
According to Vijayendra, the Yatra aims to expose the Congress government on several issues, including rising prices, alleged anti-people policies, the 4 per cent Muslim reservation, and what the BJP claims is the misuse of funds under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan (SCSP/TSP).
Addressing questions regarding the JD(S)’s absence from the Yatra, Vijayendra clarified that there was no discord between the BJP and its alliance partner. "Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has also explained this. Just because we are holding separate agitations doesn’t mean there is any difference of opinion. As a national party, the BJP is launching this Yatra as planned," he explained.
He further stated that while the JD(S) is conducting its own agitations and has announced its plans, "there is no friction between the BJP and JD(S)," he reiterated.
When asked about accusations that the Yatra was politically motivated, Vijayendra rejected the notion. "We don’t need validation from the ruling party. This movement is launched for the people’s interest. There are no elections on the horizon. When the Congress launched the Mekedatu Padyatra, it was right before the assembly elections. But this Yatra is about real issues affecting the people," he stressed.
Vijayendra also accused the Congress government of both economic and cultural failures. "People are suffering due to rising prices, and at the same time, the government is humiliating Hindus. We must bring these issues to light," he said.
In response to criticisms suggesting the Yatra was an attempt to revive the BJP’s political standing, Vijayendra retorted, "The BJP is the world’s largest political party. It is the Congress that is in crisis. They once boasted of winning 400-plus Lok Sabha seats—look at them now. We lost Karnataka due to our own mistakes, not because of the Congress."
Finally, Vijayendra appealed to BJP workers and Hindu activists across the state. "If they are being targeted by Congress leaders, let them contact me directly. We will provide legal support and guidance. It is our responsibility to stand by them. I urge our workers not to be afraid of the Congress party’s pressure tactics," he added.