BELAGAVI: In the wake of the BJP’s Mysuru padayatra, which was held to highlight the role of Chief minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam, an anti-Yediyurappa and Vijayendra faction of at least 12 BJP leaders decided to launch a padayatra from Kudala Sangam to Ballari to corner the Congress government in the Valmiki corporation scam.
The BJP leaders, who conducted a secret meeting on the outskirts of Belagavi on Sunday, are against the leadership of BY Vijayendra in the state BJP. Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, Kumar Bangarappa, former minister Aravind Limbavali, former MPs Pratap Simha, Annasaheb Jolle, GM Siddeshwar, BP Harish and NR Santosh participated in the meeting.
Yatnal discussed starting the padayatra to condemn the scam of Rs 187 crore in Valmiki corporation by seeking permission from the BJP high command.
However, the rally to condemn Valmiki corporation scam is said to be just a reason, but the intention is to show off the powers of the anti-Yediyurappa faction.
Some BJP leaders who were identified in the camp of Yediyurappa are now standing against him. The meeting is said to have discussed making a complaint about BJP state president BY Vijayendra with the high command.
It is also said that the leaders discussed that the Mysuru padayatra was systematically planned by Vijayendra to remove Siddaramaiah from power and create an opportunity for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar attain the CM’s post.
The rally planned by the rebel BJP leaders in North Karnataka is said to be organised to give out a message to the high command about the adjustment politics being made by Vijayendra.
It is said that the meeting, which lasted for nearly four hours in a hotel along the Belagavi and Goa border, decided to conduct the padayatra from September 17. The rebel leaders also discussed inviting the party national leaders to Karnataka to prepare the plans for the padayatra and conduct another round of meeting in Bengaluru soon.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, former minister Aravind Limbavali said it is not a meeting of BJP rebel leaders or disgruntled MLAs. The meeting was casual and discussions included various issues such as setback to the party in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections and organising the BJP, he said.