BENGALURU: Months ahead of Assembly election in 2023, the BJP has kicked off its ‘Jana Sankalpa Yatra’ from Raichur on Tuesday, with the intention of reaching the government achievements to people. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and former CM B S Yediyurappa, who are leading the yatra, are scheduled to cover 52 Assembly constituencies during the first phase till December 25.
On Wednesday, the BJP Sankalpa Yathra entered its second day and reached Hosapete in Vijayapura district.
Before participating in the scheduled convention in Hosapete, Bommai and Yediyurappa had breakfast at the house of Hirala Kollarappa, a Dalit person, at Kamalapur near Hosapete. They were served traditional fare like Kesaribath, Mandakki mirchi, Uppittu and tea. This is the party’s attempt at Dalit outreach. Water Resources Minister Govinda Karajol, Tourism Minister Anand Singh accompanied the CM.
Later, speaking to the media, the CM denied that the Jana Sankalpa Yatra was a counter the Congress’ Bharath Jodo Yathra.
“The Congress is a sinking boat. Rahul Gandhi is struggling to bring Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar together. Can he even connect the country? The Congress has divided the country. Mahatma Gandhi said to dissolve the Congress after independence. But these people kept him away and formed the government. The Congress has divided the country for their selfish needs. But Modi is going to make ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’,” he said.
The two parties have also engaged in a war of words with leaders from both sides targeting the other.
Former CM Yediyurappa called Rahul Gandhi a ‘bachcha’ in Raichur, and taunted Siddaramaiah that he was working under a ‘bachcha’ in the Congress party. “When the whole world is appreciating the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this ‘bachcha’ Rahul Gandhi criticised him”, he remarked.
Yediyurappa asked the opposition leader to stop daydreaming that Congress will come back to power after the 2023 election. “The BJP will surely win in more than 150 constituencies. No force can stop us”, he asserted. Yediyurappa had even said, “Siddaramaiah is not even equal to the dust at Modi’s feet.”
Reacting to Yediyurappa’s attack, Siddaramaiah said in Chitradurga, “I will not say that Yediyurappa is equal to Rahul Gandhi.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with KPCC President D. K. Shivakumar and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah”I have not underestimated Yediyurappa. Will I say that Modi is equal to Nehru’s feet? He is the Prime Minister. Similarly, can it be said that Yediyurappa is equal to Nehru feet? But I do not tell him that. That shows his dignity that he has maintained. I never expected such derogatory words from a person who was the Chief minister. He is becoming old, hence he talks like that,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
Siddaramaiah also tweeted saying, “Modi is not Vishwa Guru, he is a coward. Instead of calling Rahul Gandhi a bachcha, let your coward Prime Minister address a press conference and answer the questions of journalists.” He ended every tweet with the hashtag of ‘Badayi Bommai’ (boastful Bommai).
With both parties on yatras in the state at the same time, the war of words is expected to get shriller.