The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Lingasugur-Ballari padayatra completed its fourth day on Friday, 4 September, covering approximately 22 km from its morning starting point to Karatagi in Koppal district, Karnataka. The march, aimed at highlighting governance failures under the Congress-led state government, drew enthusiastic participation from BJP workers, farmers, traders and the general public.

Vijayendra's Broadside Against the Congress Government

Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra addressed participants during the march, accusing the Congress government of being 'lost in the illusion of its five guarantees' while neglecting the basic needs of the poor, farmers, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He alleged that several beneficiaries had not received pensions for months, even as the state government focused on publicity around its flagship welfare promises.

'Ground realities cannot be understood by sitting in air-conditioned rooms in Bengaluru,' Vijayendra said, directly targeting the Congress leadership. He asserted that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028, pledging greater priority to agriculture, irrigation, healthcare, education, employment and rural development.

Farmers, Traders and Infrastructure Concerns

The day's march began with a Gau Puja on the occasion of Krishnashtami. During the padayatra, Vijayendra inaugurated a new paddy harvesting machine brought by a farmer and interacted with agriculturalists on mechanisation and the broader challenges facing the sector.

Near Sindhanur, he held discussions with Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) traders, who raised concerns over additional charges for shop and site transfers, licensing, documentation, access to bank credit and high-interest loans. He also noted infrastructure deficiencies at the Devaraja Urs Vegetable Market — including shortages of drinking water, toilets, sanitation and parking — and assured traders their grievances would be raised in the State Assembly.

Vijayendra further highlighted that rural areas of Kalyana Karnataka continue to face shortages of doctors and teachers, inadequate infrastructure and limited employment opportunities. He called for greater investment in local industries, agro-processing units, small enterprises and skill-development centres to curb the migration of youth to Bengaluru and other cities.

Dalit Fund Diversion Allegations

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Govind Karjol levelled serious allegations against the Congress-led state government, claiming it had diverted ₹52,000 crore meant for Dalits for other purposes and was resorting to vote-bank politics. He further alleged that it had been established that ₹187 crore from the Valmiki Corporation was used by Congress leaders during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Karjol demanded the funds be returned to the government treasury and warned that the BJP's agitation would continue until the 'corrupt government' was removed from power.

Other Leaders Weigh In

Former MLC Hemalatha Naik accused the Congress government of doing nothing for farmer welfare, alleging that the administration had merely declared drought without releasing relief funds, calling it an 'anti-farmer government.' The padayatra also saw participation from former Minister B. Sriramulu, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai, Krishnanayak and Halappa Achar, former MLAs Basavaraj Dadesugur and Rajugowda Shivanagowda Nayak, and Koppal District BJP President Naveen Gulagannavar, among others.

What Comes Next

The padayatra, which is travelling the Lingasugur-Ballari route, is expected to continue in the coming days with the BJP maintaining that the march is not merely a political exercise but an effort to directly engage with farmers, workers, women, youth and traders. Women along the route offered Purna Kumbha welcomes and supporters showered flowers as the march entered Koppal district, signalling continued mobilisation ahead.