‘Mysore Chalo’: BJP-JDS’ 10-Day Padayatra To Protest Against Siddaramaiah Govt Over MUDA Scam Begins

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD(S)) opposition alliance in Karnataka commenced a 10-day padayatra from Kengeri in Bengaluru to Mysore on Saturday. This march, titled 'Mysore Chalo,' targets alleged corruption involving the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the Valmiki Corporation.

The padayatra seeks the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is accused of involvement in irregular housing site allotments. The BJP and JD(S) allege that Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, received housing sites from MUDA in compensation for land acquired by the authority. The Congress has dismissed these allegations, accusing the BJP of attempting to destabilise the state government without substantial evidence.

"The Congress govt which was formed in Karnataka, from day one, has been engaged in corruption activities. Tax money is being used for election purposes. The whole cabinet is engaged in illegal and corrupt activities MUDA, diversion of SC, ST fund and misusing of government fund, Valmiki corporation (scam) amount has been used literally to purchase the liquor and car and gold so in this situation being an opposition party, BJP has taken this very seriously and today we are starting our Padayatra, Mysore Chalo," Karnataka BJP General Secretary P Rajeev told ANI on Saturday.

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The JD(S) said that their protest is against the alleged mismanagement and corruption of the Congress government. The JD(S) poster called for a massive public turnout to support the padayatra, accusing the Congress government of looting the state through various scams.

Congress leaders, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, have criticised the padayatra, calling it an attempt to make a non-issue out of the alleged MUDA scam. Shivakumar also pointed out that the BJP's previous tenure was marked by scandals and questioned the credibility of their claims.

The controversy follows a complaint by social activist Snehamayi Krishna, who has accused Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others of document forgery and involvement in connection with MUDA land allotments. Following that, Karnataka Governor issued a show-cause notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in response to these allegations.

Earlier this week, the protest march appeared uncertain after HD Kumaraswamy, a Union minister in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), questioned its relevance and suggested that the issue should be addressed through legal channels.

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However, the JD(S) signaled a change in stance on Friday. A poster released by the party ssid that talks with Kumaraswamy had resolved the concerns. The poster announced a major march against the Congress government, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement. It claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had illegally acquired land through MUDA and misused funds from various government departments, including the Valmiki Corporation.