Having scored an early political goal over the Bharatiya Janata Party in the fight against the Congress government, Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) president B.S. Yeddyurappa on Monday said that he would continue the struggle seeking extension of the Shaadi Bhagya scheme to women from all economically weaker sections till the government yields.
As his satyagraha in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue near Ananda Rao Circle here entered the fifth day, Mr. Yeddyurappa told presspersons that he has dropped the earlier plan of laying siege to the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday.
Instead, he would continue with the indefinite agitation at the same venue till November 23 and thereafter shift to Belgaum to hold a convention on November 24, ahead of the legislature session.
He said that he would continue the dharna during the session too.
Terming the Shaadi Bhagya scheme introduced for Muslim brides a poll gimmick, Mr. Yeddyurappa said that he as the Chief Minister never introduced any scheme benefiting one particular community.
The KJP welcomes the scheme, but wants it to be made available to women from economically weaker sections of all communities.
The government should also restore supply of 10 kg rice at Rs. 10 per kg and three kg wheat at Rs. 8 per kg to those holding above poverty line ration cards.
He said that there was no rationale behind withdrawing the benefits to APL cardholders as there were no indicators of these people having become rich overnight after the Congress came to power.
KJP leaders Shobha Karandlaje, M.D. Lashminarayana, H. Halappa and others were present. Mr. Yeddyurappa and party workers have been camping at the satyagraha venue day and night ever since October 31. The spirit among the workers was high as their leader has been leading the protest from the front.
