Ballari Chalo Day 6: Vijayendra Says Padayatra Forced DK Shivakumar to Turn to North Karnataka, Targets ‘Praja Sevaka’ Pitch
Gangavathi/Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Sunday claimed the party’s Ballari Chalo padayatra had forced Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to turn his attention towards North Karnataka, as the protest entered its sixth day, and used the Chief Minister’s recent “Praja Sevaka” remark to intensify his attack on the state government.
Addressing a press conference at Jangamara Kalgudi in Gangavathi, Vijayendra referred to Shivakumar’s statement that he should not be called “Naadina Dore” but “Praja Sevaka”, and questioned whether the Chief Minister would have travelled towards North Karnataka if the BJP had not launched its padayatra.
Vijayendra alleged that Shivakumar had remained in Bengaluru for the past three months and said people were now asking whether the Chief Minister’s visit to North Karnataka was a consequence of the BJP’s agitation.
“Colourful words, wearing a suit and boot and travelling in a helicopter do not make anyone a Praja Sevaka. Real public service is about responding to people’s difficulties and bringing change to their lives,” Vijayendra said.
He also targeted the Chief Minister over the proposed Bidadi township and Kanakapura airport, alleging that the two projects appeared to be among Shivakumar’s biggest priorities.
“It appears that if the Bidadi township and Kanakapura airport projects are completed, it does not matter to him whether he becomes Chief Minister in the future or not,” Vijayendra remarked.
The BJP state president sought to contrast the “Praja Sevaka” description with what he alleged were unresolved problems faced by poorer sections. He claimed BPL cards were being cancelled, drought relief had not been provided, rural schools lacked teachers and hospitals were without doctors.
“How can the Chief Minister be called a Praja Sevaka in such a situation?” Vijayendra asked.
He said people would recognise a leader as a public servant only when schemes benefiting ordinary and poor families were delivered. He also alleged that children from shepherding communities were not receiving adequate education and that free medicines were unavailable.
“If people feel this is a good government, only then will they call you a Praja Sevaka,” he said.
The Ballari Chalo padayatra entered its sixth day on Sunday, with several BJP leaders expected to participate. Vijayendra maintained that the agitation itself had prompted the Chief Minister to focus on North Karnataka.
Vijayendra separately responded to Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader’s statement about former minister B. Nagendra getting a clean chit and returning as a minister.
“Before Nagendra gets a clean chit, let them bring back the ₹187 crore,” Vijayendra said.
He said the public had seen several instances of “clean chits” in the past and referred to the creation of the ACB under previous governments while questioning the credibility of such claims.
“We have seen enough clean chits. We have also seen how clean chits were obtained by creating the ACB during previous governments. People are no longer in a position to believe talk of clean chits,” Vijayendra said.
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