BJP-JDS negotiations successful: BJP calms HDK’s anger, Foot march back on track

PTI, Aug 2, 2024, 9:31 AM IST

Bengaluru: The ‘Mysuru Chalo’ Padayatra against the state government is scheduled to begin on Saturday. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, along with other leaders, will participate, clarified Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. This announcement puts an end to the recent discord within the alliance.

The BJP leadership successfully persuaded JD(S) state president and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to support the march. The foot march will commence at 8:30 AM on Saturday with a prayer at Kempamma Devi Temple near Kengeri, Bengaluru. Central BJP leaders will participate in the concluding ceremony in Mysuru on August 10.

Exclusion of Preetham Gowda

On Thursday, Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) leaders met in New Delhi. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, state BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Agarwal, and state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra decided to hold the joint foot march after extensive discussions. JD(S) put forth a condition that Preetham Gowda be excluded from the march, which the BJP agreed to.

Grand Rally in Mysuru

Post the meeting, BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Agarwal addressed a joint press conference. He alleged that the state government sanctioned 14 expensive plots to the CM’s wife, resulting in a “Rs 4,000 crore scam.” Funds meant for the Valmiki Corporation were misused for elections in Andhra Pradesh. The SC/ST funds were used for guarantees. The public is outraged, and the BJP and JD(S) are echoing this sentiment. NDA leaders will commence the foot march from Bengaluru to Mysuru on August 3 and hold a massive rally in Mysuru, he said.

All Issues Resolved: Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Karnataka government of corruption, citing the Valmiki Corporation and MUDA scams. The NDA foot march will begin on Saturday, with BJP and JD(S) marching together. The communication gap has been resolved through discussions, he said.

He reaffirmed that the foot march will proceed as planned, with NDA leaders participating in the seven-day march.

BSY and HDK to Flag Off the March

BJP state president Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Congress government of being deeply corrupt, a topic of discussion nationwide.  The march will be flagged off by B.S. Yediyurappa and H.D. Kumaraswamy at 8:30 AM from NICE Road Junction, with participation from BJP and JD(S) MLAs, MPs, and workers, he added.