n In a political counter to the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ of the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, along with the BJP stalwart BS Yediyurappa, on Tuesday started a ‘Jana Sankalpa Yatra’ in 52 Assembly constituencies in poll-bound Karnataka.
The 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' , which began from Kerala, is undergoing its Karnataka leg. It would go on in the State till October 20. Karnataka will elect a new assembly in 2023. The BJP is Congress’ main electoral opponent.
The BJP ‘Yatra’ is apparently inspired by the Congress’ effort to revive itself across the country in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Bommai and Yediyurappa are scheduled to cover 52 Assembly segments till December 25, as part of the 'Jana Sankalpa Yatra'. The 'Yatra' has started from Raichur in the North-East Karnataka.
"The intention of the Jana Sankalpa Yatra is to inform the programmes, work and policies of BJP government in the state and at the Centre, and also send a message to BJP office-bearers and workers to prepare for elections with a resolve to bring BJP back to power in the state," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters ahead of leaving for Raichur, he said, "There is enthusiasm everywhere. Through the Jana Sankalpa Yatra, we hope to gain the confidence of the people and to be victorious in the 2023 assembly polls."
According to the Chief Minister, during the tour, he will be interacting with beneficiaries of various schemes and visit certain places as planned by the local party functionaries.
Responding to a question, Bommai said he and his party are not worried about Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said the foot march has no impact.
"The world knows, it is 'jodoing' (uniting) whom and 'thodoing' (dividing) whom. It has no importance. We are not worried. We are doing our sankalpa (resolution) yatra to win the election by informing people about our programmes. There is no connection with it (BJP's tour with Congress' yatra)," he added.
Incidentally, BJP's tour begins from Raichur Rural assembly segment, an ST reserve seat that has a huge presence of the Valmiki community.
The state government had last week decided to hike the reservation quota for SCs from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for STs from 3 per cent to 7 per cent. The 'Valmiki Gurupeetha' seer Prasannananda Swami has been on a hunger strike demanding the ST quota hike.
Bommai and Yediyurappa will be touring predominantly in the 'Kalyana Karnataka' region.
Of the 52 seats which they will be touring, 20 constituencies are currently represented by Congress MLAs and four by JD(S).
