The 320-km ‘padayatra’ by Congress in Karnataka, launched as an anti-corruption blitzkrieg against the BJP government with the spotlight on illegal mining, will culminate at the mining hub of Bellary tomorrow.
Marking the end of the 16-day-long walk, State Congress heavyweights will address a rally in Bellary, home district of three ministers and mining magnates – K. Janardhana Reddy, his brother Karunakara Reddy and their associate R. Sreeramulu.
The ‘padayatra’, seen as a comeback vehicle for Congress, hit by low morale after a string of electoral defeats since 2004, was kicked off amid much fanfare in Bangalore on July 25.
Congress leaders embarked on the walkathon after accepting the challenge by the three ministers in the State Assembly on July 9 when they dared them to step onto their home turf, where, the Opposition alleges, only the writ of the Reddy brothers runs large.
The BJP, running its first ever government in the South, was initially dismissive of the ‘padayatra’, calling it a “political gimmick”, but changed tack taking into account the public response to it, making counter moves.
The Congress offensive drew a peculiar response from Mr. Sreeramulu, who tonsured his head and went on a counter ’padayatra’, sporting black robes in Bellary district.
Mr. Sreeramulu said he has chosen to ward off the evil eye of Congress on Bellary, but his show, fully supported by the Reddy brothers, invited the ire of Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa, who openly disapproved of it, saying being in the government, they should not have done it.
The ‘padayatra’ drew angry reactions from the Reddy brothers, who said they would hang themselves if Congress could produce any evidence to substantiate their charge that they were involved in illegal mining.
As a counter offensive, BJP has held two rallies, with the third one at Mysore on August 14, to be addressed by party stalwart L. K. Advani. The fourth and final rally will be held in Bellary on August 20.
BJP also sought to turn the tables on Congress, with Mr. Yeddyurappa accusing several of its leaders of being involved in illegal mining.
In an obvious move seeking to disarm the Opposition and to dispel the impression that his government was soft on the mining lobby, the BJP government on July 26 ordered closure of 10 ports to curb illegal export of iron ore.
The illegal mining issue had also drawn the attention of Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde, who had quit his post, complaining of inadequate response from the government to his report on the matter.
Mr. Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge, has however withdrawn his resignation, heeding to a request from Mr. Advani, who assured him of prompt action by his party government in the State.
According to observers, the ‘padayatra’ has succeeded in uniting Congress, which has been battling internal bickering, defeats at the hustings and questions over lack of astute leadership and also kindled hopes of the party’s revival in the State.
State Congress leader Siddaramaiah, leading the ’padayatra’, is emerging as a key leader amid expectations of his loyalists that his future role in the party would see an upward trend.
The walkathon also brought together sparring leaders who buried their differences to walk in unity. It also saw a healthy blend of the old leaders and young Congress Turks.
The ‘padayatra’ was also peppered with cultural events, dances, singing and even a birthday cake cutting ceremony, inviting the derision of BJP, whose leaders accused Congress of making a mockery of the rally.
