Don't divide votes, benefit corrupt govt: Activists urge Kannadigas

The government that seized power despite the absence of a popular vote has only brought our downfall. The people of the state have an opportunity to bring Karnataka out of this tragic situation — Veteran writer Devanur Mahadeva

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: With the elections fast approaching, Eddelu Karnataka, a group of progressiveminded thinkers and writers have appealed to voters in the state to oust the BJP government, alleging that it has unleashed corruption and hate politics in the state over the last four years.

Backed by veteran writers and thinkers including Devanur Mahadeva, Rahamath Tarikere and Yogendra Yadava among others, Eddelu Karnataka (Wake Up Karnataka) campaign linked the upcoming Assembly Elections with the larger fate of India: "We must take up the task of preserving the nation’s identity, heritage, life and future." "In today’s suffocating toxic political environment, the coming elections will decide whether our country can take a long breath and recover," a statement put out by the group said.

Speaking at a press conference, veteran writer Devanur Mahadeva said, "The gover nment that seized power despite the absence of a popular vote has brought about our downfall. The people of the state have an opportunity to bring Karnataka out of this tragic situation. Elections are coming. Our main goal is to defeat this government regardless of who comes to power next. And then with the winning party, we must continue our struggle for the restoration of people’s rights– a process that protects democracy," he said.

Further the writer opined that the 'double engine' Sangh Parivar government needs to be disposed of into a waste dump. The appeal stated that the BJP government came to power through 'Operation Kamala' which was essentially a subversion of democracy.

"Corruption in this government has reached unprecedented levels. MLAs accused in the corruption cases are shamelessly celebrating on the streets of their constituencies. Is this a joke" the statement from the group read. The veterans also stated that the people in Karnataka have started raising questions on development and implementation. "It proves that the people are not unaware of what the ruling party has been doing with them," they said.

Speaking to News Trail, Yogendra Yadav said that the aim of Eddelu Karnataka is to defeat the BJP, which had tarnished the state by collecting 40% commission, doubled the prices of essential commodities, betrayed the working people, pitted one community against against another, and attempted to plant the seeds of hatred in Karnataka."

The activist further said that Karnataka has become a fitting Kurukshetra for this crusade while also being projected as the BJP’s gateway into South India over the past few years. This region is culturally and politically very rich.

Today, even though the news of the controversy over Hijab and Azaan comes from Karnataka, this state is the land of reformers like Basavanna, the land of religious tolerance and literature. Sometimes people from mass movements jump completely into electoral politics, but the results of such experiments have not been very good, he said. The activists of the cause reiterated that a firm stand has to be taken to clear the confusion before voting for a party.

"If we are divided, only the party that splits us will benefit from it," said Rahamath Tarikere. The group said that the Eddelu Karnataka campaign will be revamped from April 27 and requested the support of the people in delivering the message to all the people across Karnataka. The group even has begun a missed call campaign for raising support