Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Karnataka BJP Padyatra Draws Congress Criticism Over Leadership
The BJP is holding a long walking rally in Karnataka.
It began in Lingasugur on September 1 and is planned to finish in Ballari on September 10.
BJP leaders say people are supporting the rally.
They are discussing issues such as drought, corruption and unfilled government jobs.
They also want to highlight the resignation of Congress leader Nagendra.
Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad disagrees with the BJP’s claims.
He says the rally is being paid for and is meant to help B.Y. Vijayendra become a stronger BJP leader.
The two parties therefore have different views about the size and purpose of the march.
KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad called the BJP’s Karnataka padyatra a “paid padyatra.”
Hariprasad alleged that B.S. Yediyurappa is using the march to promote his son, B.Y. Vijayendra.
The BJP padyatra began on September 1 in Lingasugur and is scheduled to end September 10 in Ballari.
B.Y. Vijayendra said the march would highlight Nagendra’s resignation, drought and about 2.5 lakh unfilled vacancies.
BJP leaders C.T. Ravi and B. Sriramulu said the march was receiving public support and raising corruption concerns.
- Who
- The Karnataka BJP, led in the march by B.Y. Vijayendra, and the Congress, represented by B.K. Hariprasad, are central to the dispute.
- What
- The BJP is conducting a padyatra, while Congress has criticized it as a paid political exercise aimed at promoting Vijayendra.
- When
- The padyatra began on September 1 and is scheduled to conclude on September 10.
- Where
- The march began in Lingasugur in Raichur district and is scheduled to end in Ballari, Karnataka.
- Why
- The BJP says it is raising issues including Nagendra’s resignation, drought, vacancies, alleged misuse of SC/ST grants and corruption; Congress says it is being used to establish Vijayendra’s leadership.
Congress criticism
BJP position
Public support for the march
Congress criticism
B.K. Hariprasad said that a genuinely popular padyatra would have attracted people and therefore called it a paid padyatra.
BJP position
C.T. Ravi and B. Sriramulu said the public was supporting the march and that many people were attending it.
Purpose of the padyatra
Congress criticism
Hariprasad alleged that B.S. Yediyurappa was using the rally to establish his son, B.Y. Vijayendra, as a BJP leader.
BJP position
B.Y. Vijayendra said the padyatra was focused on public issues, including Nagendra’s resignation, drought and unfilled vacancies.
Issues raised by the BJP
Congress criticism
Congress characterized the initiative as a leadership-building exercise and questioned its public appeal.
BJP position
BJP leaders said the march was drawing attention to alleged misuse of SC/ST grants, corruption and other issues in Karnataka.
- Organizer
- Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka unit
- Start date
- September 1
- Scheduled end date
- September 10
- Starting point
- Lingasugur, Raichur district
- Destination
- Ballari
- Issues cited by BJP
- Nagendra’s resignation, drought and approximately 2.5 lakh unfilled vacancies
- Congress criticism
- B.K. Hariprasad described the march as a “paid padyatra” intended to promote B.Y. Vijayendra