The Hindu : Karnataka News : Janata Dal (Secular) to launch ‘Vishala Yatra’ on November 1

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 19, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka

Janata Dal (Secular) to launch ‘Vishala Yatra’ on November 1

Bangalore Bureau

The 1000-km ‘padayatra’ is to counter BJP’s ‘Dharma Yatra’

‘Yatra’ will start from Basavakalyan in Bidar district
Deve Gowda will address rallies and public meetings

BANGALORE: To counter the ‘Dharma Yatra’ campaign by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to launch a ‘Vishala Yatra’, a 1000-km ‘padayatra’, on November 1.

It will start from Basavakalyan in Bidar district and end at the Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Chamarajanagar district after covering several areas of the State.

Senior party leaders, including former Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy, will take part in the ‘yatra’. Party president H.D. Deve Gowda will address rallies and public meetings.

President of the State unit of Janata Dal (S) Merajuddin Patel told reporters here on Thursday that the party would explain its role in the recent political development that led to President’s rule in the State and show that the BJP was responsible for it.

The Janata Dal (S) wanted to impose certain pro-people conditions before transferring power in the interests of the minorities and the downtrodden.

But the “power hungry” BJP was impatient to hold talks, he said.

He pointed out that BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar had announced that his party would convert the Bababudangiri shrine into Datta Peetha if voted to power.

He alleged that in the name of ‘Dharma Yatra’, the BJP leaders were spreading canards against the Janata Dal (S) and misinterpreting the facts associated with transfer of power.

“It is not a ‘Dharma Yatra’, but a mere fight for the seat of power by the BJP,” Mr. Patel said.

On the reported talks between some of the Janata Dal (S) and Congress MLAs on the formation of a government, Mr. Patel said his party was in favour of dissolution of the Assembly and holding elections.

The party would clarify its stand on the matter on October 22, he added.

A large number of volunteers from other political parties had expressed their desire to join the Janata Dal (S) as they were convinced that Mr. Kumaraswamy had done his best for the welfare of the minorities and the poor.

He welcomed 30 BJP and 15 Congress volunteers and their supporters from the Uttarahalli Assembly constituency to the Janata Dal (S) on the occasion. He welcomed Governor Rameshwar Thakur’s comments on the Datta Peetha issue.

Mr. Kumaraswamy and senior leaders of the Janata Dal (S) met Mr. Deve Gowda on Thursday and briefed him about the views of party MLAs.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka