BJP to launch campaign to counter Congress yatra

M.today

Davanagere, August 2: Upping its ante, the ruling BJP in Karnataka today announced a state-wide ’expose Congress’ campaign from August 20 in a counter-offensive against the principal opposition party on the illegal mining issue.

 

 

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa led his party leaders in mounting a scathing attack on Congress and JDS at a rally here and said he would undertake district-wide tours after August 20 to expose Congress.

 

Addressing a ’jana jagruthi samavesha’, the first in the series of four such rallies to counter the nine-day old Congress 320-km Bangalore-Bellary Padayatra, Yeddyurappa said he would also highlight his government’s achievements during the programme.


Accusing the Congress of "looting", he said, "Illegal mining has been going on for more than 15 years and it is the Congress leaders who are involved in it. But still, they blame my government for it and went on a padayatra".

"We will expose Congress and irregularities committed by that party when it ruled the state. The Congress is trying to disturb law and order situation in the state", he charged.


Asserting that his government was firm on ending "all illegal activities", including illegal mining, he said "For this I am prepared for any sacrifice... even my chair."
Senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu hit out at Congress leader Siddaramaih for demanding dissolution of the state Assembly and said "let the Congress dissolve Lok Sabha. BJP is also ready for polls".

Yeddyurappa and state unit BJP President K S Eswarappa ruled out any alliance with JDS, scotching speculations that the saffron party may seek the support of the Deve Gowda-led party in the event of any threat to its government by Bellary mining magnets and ministers -- G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakra Reddy and B Sreeramulu-- who are sore over banning of iron ore exports.

Eswarappa said, "Yeddyurappa government will complete the remaining three years. Nobody can shake it. We do not need the help of any other party to ensure its continuance."

Rubbishing allegations of illegal mining, Janardhana Reddy said his family was not involved in it and declared "if any one proved that we have done illegal mining on even one inch of land, we will hang (ourselves) publicly".