I have no objections to section of BJP's plans for another foot march: BY Vijayendra
Bengaluru, Aug 13: Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday said he has no objections to plans by a section of party leaders to hold another 'padayatra' (foot march) against the Congress government in the state.
He said they can go ahead with their programme if the party's central leadership gives its nod.
A group of BJP leaders who are said to be disgruntled with Vijayendra and his father, veteran leader B S Yediyurappa, "controlling the state unit", has planned to hold a 'padayatra' to highlight the 'Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation' scam and the alleged diversion of funds meant for the welfare of the SC/STs to guarantee schemes, by the Congress government.
This plans comes close on the heels of a week-long protest march from Bengaluru to Mysuru, by the combined opposition of BJP and JD(S), demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam’, under Vijayendra's leadership, which concluded on August 10.
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"As the state president of the party, taking everyone together is my prime responsibility, and I have been doing it from day one. Some people have expressed their intention for a 'padayatra'; if it will strengthen the party, and the central leadership gives their approval, I have no objections to it," Vijayendra said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "They have said that they will meet the central leadership. They are free to go ahead if the central leaders approve. Whatever is done should be in favour of the party and should benefit the organisation. If this good intention is there, that's enough." The foot march from Kudalasangama to Ballari is being planned under the leadership of BJP leaders and MLAs Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jarkiholi, who have been vocal critics of Vijayendra and Yediyurappa.
Some of these "like minded" leaders of the party had held a meeting at a resort near the district headquarters town of Belagavi recently, under the leadership of Jarkiholi and Yatnal in this regard.
Former MPs Annasaheb Jolle, Pratap Simha and G M Siddeshwara and former ministers Aravind Limbavali and Kumar Bangarappa, among others, participated in the meeting.
There are also reports that discussions were held regarding lodging a complaint with party central leaders, against the father-son duo of Yediyurappa and Vijayendra.
Yatnal and Jarkiholi have been openly critical of Vijayendra, accusing him of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress, and trying to keep the party in his clutches along with his father Yediyurappa.
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Assam records nearly 18 pc voter turnout in first two hours of assembly polls
Guwahati (PTI): A voter turnout of 17.87 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of the assembly elections in Assam, where the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.
Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 17.87 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters exercised their franchise till 9 am, officials said.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray for the elections, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress.
The river island of Majuli recorded the highest turnout in the first two hours at 20.03 per cent, while Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region witnessed the lowest at 15.32 per cent.
Voters began queuing outside polling booths since early morning, despite rain in many parts of the state.
Prominent candidates who have cast their votes so far include Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia in Nazira, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, and BJP's Pradyut Bordoloi.
Votes are being cast at 31,490 polling stations across the 35 districts of the state, with polling concluding at 5 pm.
Among the heavyweight candidates whose fates would be decided in this election are Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituents Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats, respectively.
In the opposition bloc, Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) 3 and APHLC 2. Other parties in the fray include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), besides 258 Independents.
Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies -- Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok and Lakhipur -- have only two candidates each.
