New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch a 10-day protest march across nine Assembly constituencies from September 1 to September 10, party leader and former minister B. Sriramulu announced on Saturday.
Sriramulu unveiled the logo for the proposed padayatra at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru. The march will begin with a major public meeting at Lingasugur and conclude in Ballari on September 10. Several senior BJP leaders are expected to participate in the inaugural programme, including Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy, Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
The protest comes as the BJP continues to target the Congress-led Karnataka government over alleged financial irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and the political controversy surrounding former minister B. Nagendra.
According to Sriramulu, the padayatra will pass through Lingasugur, Maski, Sindhanur, Karatagi, Gangavathi, Kampli, Sandur, Ballari Rural and Ballari City constituencies. He said the BJP had consistently demanded Nagendra’s resignation both inside and outside the Assembly over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
Sriramulu thanked BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, opposition leaders and party legislators for raising the issue and alleged that Nagendra had resigned twice in connection with the controversy, describing the situation as unusual. He also claimed that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had acknowledged that irregularities had occurred in the corporation.
The BJP leader alleged that around Rs 87 crore had been transferred from the corporation and claimed that the funds were misused during the Lok Sabha elections in an effort to defeat BJP candidates in different districts. These allegations have been a major component of the BJP’s criticism of the Congress government.
Sriramulu also attacked Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, arguing that he could have defended Nagendra but instead allowed him to resign amid pressure from the Opposition. He criticised Nagendra for allegedly referring to BJP leaders as “Manuvadis”, while pointing out that BJP leaders, including Janardhana Reddy, had supported him during the 2013 Assembly election.
Referring to the death of tribal welfare corporation official Chandrashekhar, Sriramulu alleged that the official died by suicide after facing threats and harassment linked to the case. He accused Nagendra and the Congress party of failing to adequately support the deceased official’s family.
Sriramulu further levelled allegations against Nagendra over his induction into the Cabinet, making an unsubstantiated claim involving “suitcases”. He also questioned the removal of Dalit leader K.N. Rajanna from the Cabinet and asked why Nagendra was now expressing concern for Dalits.
The BJP leader also criticised Shivakumar’s description of Nagendra as an “asset of the Congress”, alleging that public funds had effectively been used for the benefit of the party.
The 10-day padayatra is expected to provide the BJP with a platform to intensify its campaign against the Karnataka government and keep the Valmiki Corporation controversy at the centre of political debate.
