Ballari: BJP leader C.T. Ravi has described the party’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ campaign as a historic success, saying the protest was aimed at championing the rights of oppressed communities, SCs, STs and people of the Kalyana Karnataka region.
The BJP’s padayatra, which began in Lingasugur and passed through nine assembly constituencies, culminated in a large public rally in Ballari. Ravi said the concluding event provided a platform to raise concerns over the state government’s administration and issues affecting marginalised communities and farmers.
BJP targets alleged misuse of SCP-TSP funds
Ravi alleged that a multi-crore scam had taken place in the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation, claiming that the alleged irregularities had caused injustice to poor and Scheduled Community beneficiaries.
He demanded that the government address what he termed injustices against SCs, STs and farmers, and called for an end to the alleged misuse of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) funds.
He also demanded that adequate grants be released for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Ravi said the BJP would continue its agitation until its demands were addressed. He warned that the public anger voiced through Ballari Chalo would continue until the state government was removed from power.
Yediyurappa, Vijayendra among leaders at rally
Former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa and BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra attended the concluding programme.
The rally was also attended by BJP state in-charge Radhamohan Das Agarwal, Union minister Pralhad Joshi, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and state co-in-charge Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy.
Former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, former deputy chief minister Govind Karjol, former minister B. Sriramulu and MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy were among those present.
Several MLAs, MPs, party office-bearers, workers and members of the public also participated in the concluding rally.
