BJP launches yatra against Congress govt’s ‘anti-Hindu’ policies ahead of Karnataka polls

The BJP also launched a 14-day ‘protect Bengaluru’ march on Friday, with a call to save the city from Congress “misrule” as it looks to capture power in Karnataka in the next assembly election.

BJP on Saturday launched a four-day yatra in communally sensitive coastal and Malnad region, aimed at creating awareness about the Congress government’s “anti-Hindu policies”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Karnataka BJP president and chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa during the party's 'Farmers Convention' at Davanagere on February 27. (PTI Photo)

The four-day ‘Jana Suraksha Yatra’ (protection of people rally) with a call “Mangaluru Chalo” was kicked off simultaneously from Kushalnagar and Ankola.

The rally will converge in Mangaluru on March 6, where Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to address a rally, the party said.

BJP on Friday launched its 14-day ‘protect Bengaluru’ march here, with a call to save the city from Congress’ “misrule” as it looks to capture power in Karnataka in the next assembly election.

Earlier, it had organised a state-wide 85-day “Parivarthana Yatra” (rally for change) that was concluded on February 4.

Union minister Prakash Javadekar flagged off the ‘Jana Suraksha Yatra’ that will be lead by Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde and MP Shobha Karandlaje from Ankola.

In Kushalnagar, Union minister Sadananda Gowda kicked off the yatra led by MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Pratap Simha.

Speaking in Ankola, Hegde hit out at chief minister Siddaramaiah and his government, holding them responsible for ‘criminal activities’ and the alleged murders of BJP activists.

He said, “I would like to say to Siddaramaiah that in one or two months there will be elections, you are not fit to sit in the chair (as chief minister) even for one month, step down immediately, get down.”

Meanwhile, BJP state President Yeddyurappa and Union minister Ananth Kumar, among others, participated in ‘Bengaluru Rakshisi Padayatre’ that will criss-cross the city till March 15.

The 85-day “Parivarthana Yatra” had criss-crossed all 224 assembly constituencies in the state and virtually sounded the bugle for the assembly polls expected to held in April/May.

BJP, which had ruled Karnataka from 2008-13, has been eyeing to return to power in the coming polls and has declared Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate.

Yeddyurappa was credited with leading the BJP to form its first ever government in the south in 2008.