Chief Minister visiting North Karnataka after BJP announced Ballari padayatra: Vijayendra

BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra interacting with a shepherding community during the Ballari Chalo padayatra on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The BJP’s 10-day Ballari Chalo padayatra, led by party State president B.Y. Vijayendra, entered its sixth day on Sunday, with party leaders interacting with farmers and shepherding communities along the route to highlight their issues.Addressing a press conference at Jangamar Kalgudi near Gangavathi in Koppal district, Mr. Vijayendra stepped up his criticism of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, asserting that the latter’s visit to North Karnataka had gained momentum only after the BJP began the padayatra.“Drought relief has not reached farmers. The schools and hospitals in the State are functioning without adequate staff. The government is reducing the number of BPL cards, thereby depriving poor families of welfare benefits,” Mr. Vijayendra said.He also criticised the government over the problems faced by shepherding communities, including inadequate facilities and difficulties in providing education and healthcare to their children. “The Chief Minister claims that he is a “public servant”. Wearing a suit and travelling in a helicopter does not make anyone a public servant. A public servant is one who responds to people’s problems and brings a change in their lives,” he said.Responding to a statement by Minister U.T. Khader that former Minister B. Nagendra would return to the Cabinet after receiving a clean chit in the alleged irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, Mr. Vijayendra demanded that the ₹187 crore allegedly involved in the case be recovered first before making any claims.Criticising the State government for what he termed “misplaced priorities”, Mr. Vijayendra said the Chief Minister was more interested in implementing the Bidadi township and Kanakapura airport projects than addressing concerns of farmers and other vulnerable sections.Mr. Vijayendra visited a shepherding camp in Marali village before embarking on Sunday’s march. He spoke to the community about their difficulties and spent some time with them. He also interacted with farmers regarding crop losses caused by the drought and discussed the need for the proposed Navali balancing reservoir.During earlier stages of the march, Mr. Vijayendra participated in paddy transplantation, travelled in a bullock cart wearing a green shawl, and shared a meal with a farming family. Songs and cultural programmes criticising the Congress government have accompanied the march, while BJP workers and supporters have put up banners and cut-outs along the route. Women party workers also participated in the padayatra, with some groups wearing saffron sarees and caps.The march was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, B. Sriramulu, Gali Janardhan Reddy, C.T. Ravi, and Doddanagouda H. Patil. Published - September 06, 2026 06:57 pm IST