BELGAUM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have put itself in the election mode as the "Sangharsh Yatra" of the party, which reached here on Wednesday, called upon people to elect the party candidates in the coming zilla and taluk panchayat elections.

BJP General Secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar; State unit President Jagdish Shettar; Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly B.S. Yediyurappa; and Ramesh Jigjinagi and Suresh Angadi, MPs; addressed a public gathering.

"Elect the BJP and keep out the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) combine first from the panchayats and then from the Legislative Assembly," the leaders said. The speakers listed the "misdeeds" and "failures" of the coalition Government on the one hand and promised a "clean" government if the BJP comes to power. Some leaders also played the regional card demanding the implementation of the recommendations of the D.M. Nanjundappa Committee, which studied the regional imbalances in the State.

Noting that the yatra is turning into a mass movement against the "misrule" of the coalition Government, Mr. Ananth Kumar demanded a White Paper on the relief works taken up by the Government in the flood-affected parts of the State. On the all-party delegation to the Centre led by Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh seeking additional funds to rehabilitate those affected by the floods, Mr. Ananth Kumar pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash had no answer when Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar wanted to know the extent of the State's contribution to flood relief. The UPA Government at the Centre has sanctioned a meagre Rs. 400 crores when the requirement is over Rs. 3,500 crores to take up relief measures, he added.

Mr. Ananth Kumar said the prices of all essential commodities have gone up since the UPA came to power.

Mr. Yedurappa drew attention to the issues and problems pertaining to farmers and said only a Government led by the BJP can ensure a good life for the peasants. He demanded that the President dismiss S.M. Krishna as Maharashtra Governor for not maintaining the dignity of his office and indulging in politics in his home State.

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