BJP-JD(S) 'Mysuru Chalo' march demanding CM's resignation, in Mandya

Mandya, NT Bureau: The combined opposition, BJP and JD(S), on Tuesday continued their protest march, demanding the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam.'

The week-long Bengaluru-Mysuru 'padayatre' (foot march) has sought to highlight the alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, including to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi.

The fourth day of the 'Mysuru Chalo' protest began at Nidaghatta near here and is scheduled to cover a distance of 20 km to reach the district headquarters city of Mandya.

BJP State President and MLA B Y Vijayendra, former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Assembly Arvind Bellad, several legislators, leaders and workers from both parties took part as the march resumed.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy, and former BJP national General Secretary and MLC C T Ravi were among other leaders who later joined the march. A large number of workers and leaders from both parties were seen marching shouting slogans against Siddaramaiah and the Congress government, holding BJP and JD(S) party flags and placards, amidst sounds of drum beat.

The stretch through which the march passed was decked up with flags of both parties, buntings and portraits of prominent leaders at several places. Kick started on Saturday at Kengeri near Bengaluru, the march on its first day had covered a distance of 16 km to reach Bidadi, 22 km on day two to reach Kengal, and 20 km on day three to reach Nidaghatta.

Addressing the gathering during the march at Maddur, Vijayendra said, as a result of this agitation, Siddaramaiah might have to resign at any moment.

"Such a situation has been created. The Congress MLAs have lost trust in their leader and leaders are fighting to become CM...The CM will have to bow down to the voice of the people and resign."

The 'padayatre' is not being undertaken for the sake of power, he said, adding, "it is to remove the corrupt Congress government and the corrupt CM from power...do the people of the state need such a corrupt gover nment and CM? can they do good for the state.''