'Bellary Chalo' Padayatra a Walk to Protect Karnataka: Congress
Bangalore, Jul 24 (PTI): Congress today said its 320-km padayatra from here to Bellary on July 25 is ''a walk to protect Karnataka'' against the misrule of the BJP government and plundering of natural resources.
"The 'padayatra' stems from a challenge thrown by three Bellary ministers (in the wake of the illegal mining scam), daring Congress to come there. It is not targetted at anyone, but to create awareness about betrayal and misrule of BJP government," KPCC president R V Deshpande and Opposition Congress Leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
The three ministers -- G Janardhana Reddy, Karunakara Reddy and B Sreeramulu -- have thrown a challenge to Congress to dare to come to Bellary, which has been accepted, Siddaramaiah said.
Deshpande said invitations have been sent to Union Ministers representing Karnataka and all leaders, besides intellectuals, to take part in the 'padayatra', which would highlight "rampant corruption" in the state and its failure to provide relief to flood affected people.
Siddaramaiah termed the alleged illegal mining scam in the state as the "mother of all scams", running to Rs 50,000 crore and came down heavily on the government for failing to check "loot" of natural resources, even after Yeddyurappa admitted to it.
He lashed out at Yeddyurappa for giving a clean chit to the Reddy brothers.
The 'padayatra' will be inaugurated by veteran Congress leaders K H Ranganath and former labour minister Sriramulu.
The Congress has directed its workers in 15 Assembly constituencies in the state to take part in the yatra.
The 'padayatra' will culminate in a rally in the city on August 9, coinciding with 'Quit India Movement' day.