The 320-km ‘Bellary chalo padayatra’ undertaken by opposition Congress against the BJP government in Karnataka for its “failure” to check illegal mining entered the eight day on Saturday.
AICC leader B. K. Hariprasad and veteran B. Janardhana Poojary joined the padayatra that resumed its onward journey from Javalagondanahalli in Chitradurga district.
The padayatra continued to draw good support from locals, besides Congress workers from other parts joining it.
Partymen from Mangalore travelled to Chitradurga and became part of the protest today.
’Yakshagana’ (traditional art form of Karnataka) artistes’ performance not only enthralled those walking towards Bellary but added glitter to the yatra.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who is leading the padayatra, took a swipe at state Tourism Minister G. Janardhana Reddy, who had challenged him to contest from one of the Assembly constituencies of Bellary.
“Let BJP dissolve the State Assembly. I am ready to contest from Bellary (stronghold of Reddy brothers) itself,” he said.
Meanwhile, the padayatra by Health Minister B. Sreeramulu and Reddy brothers - Janardhana and Karunakara - to counter Congress’ entered the fourth day on Saturday.
Sreeramulu, along with Reddy brothers and BJP supporters, went on padayatra in Hospet.
They had set out from Chellagurki village on July 29 to garner public support on the issue and also for the mega rally planned in Bellary on August 20.
