Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who also serves as the state president of the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S), has announced his decision to withdraw support from the Karnataka BJP’s upcoming padayatra. This decision follows his strong objections to the BJP’s inclusion of Preetham Gowda, a former MLA from Hassan, in the event. The BJP’s padayatra, scheduled to start on August 3, aims to protest against alleged wrongdoings by the Siddaramaiah government.
In a press briefing in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy expressed his frustration, questioning why he should participate in an event featuring someone he accuses of harming his family. “How can I share a stage with someone who has tried to damage Deve Gowda’s family? The BJP has not consulted us about this padayatra or considered our stance. They need to clarify their intentions and their actions. I am deeply hurt. Preetham Gowda is the individual who attempted to undermine the HD Deve Gowda family. The BJP is including him on stage with me. Who is accountable for distributing those pen drives in the Prajwal Revanna case? Aren’t they aware of the events in Hassan? Political alliances differ from political practices,” Kumaraswamy said.
Earlier, the JD(S) core committee, led by GT Deve Gowda, had urged the BJP to delay the padayatra due to severe rains affecting the state. Kumaraswamy has now decided that his party will not participate, citing the current situation as unsuitable for such an event.
“The state is reeling from intense rains, landslides, and crop destruction. Holding a padayatra in these conditions might attract criticism. Therefore, we have chosen to withdraw,” Kumaraswamy explained.
He questioned the utility of the padayatra for the people of Karnataka, asserting that addressing legal issues is more critical than political activities at this time. “Our party has strong support from Bengaluru to Mysuru, and we do not endorse the padayatra in its current form. The core committee’s view was to postpone the padayatra and reconsider it after some time. The devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad, which borders Kodagu, have caused numerous deaths and disappearances. With red alerts in several districts and ongoing land subsidence in Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, and Dakshina Kannada, it is not the right moment for such a political event,” he added.
Kumaraswamy’s remarks are likely to create friction with the BJP, particularly as the party intensifies its criticism of alleged corruption within the Congress government.
