Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Tuesday, 1 September launched a coordinated offensive against the Congress government in Karnataka, accusing it of corruption, neglect of farmers and Dalits, and mishandling recruitment and welfare schemes. The attack came at the launch of the BJP's Ballari Chalo padayatra in Lingasugur, Raichur district.

Vijayendra's Broadside: 'Government of the Corrupt'

Addressing party workers and leaders at the padayatra launch, Vijayendra alleged that the government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was a 'government of the corrupt, by the corrupt and for the corrupt.' He asserted that the BJP's agitation would continue until the government was removed from power.

Vijayendra made clear that former Minister B. Nagendra's resignation — in connection with the alleged ₹187 crore Valmiki Corporation scam — would not be enough to end the protest. 'We will continue our fight until the entire money is returned to the Valmiki Corporation, SCP/TSP funds are restored for the welfare of Dalits, justice is delivered to victims of atrocities, and justice is ensured to farmers,' he said.

He also questioned why Nagendra had been re-inducted into the Cabinet despite having earlier resigned over allegations linked to the same corporation, calling his initial resignation the 'first victory' of the BJP's agitation. Vijayendra accused the Congress government of using 'drama' and shedding 'crocodile tears' over Dalit welfare while allegedly diverting funds meant for their development.

Ashoka on Drought, KPSC Scam and Ministerial Accountability

Ashoka echoed Vijayendra's stance, warning that the party's struggle would outlast Nagendra's exit. 'BJP's struggle will not stop merely because B. Nagendra has resigned. We are fighting on issues including drought, the KPSC scam and Bidadi Township. Because of our agitation, more ministers will have to resign,' he said.

On the agrarian crisis, Ashoka alleged that drought conditions prevailed across 175 taluks but the government had officially declared drought in only 101 taluks. He demanded that all 175 taluks be declared drought-affected and sought ₹50,000 per acre as relief for farmers. He claimed that growers of sunflower, jowar and tur had suffered heavy losses without receiving government relief, and that villagers were also facing drinking water shortages.

On the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam, Ashoka claimed that government posts were being 'sold' for large sums and alleged that rates had been fixed for various positions. He said the BJP would raise the issue in the next Assembly session and demanded arrests and punishment for all those allegedly involved. He also claimed that Minister Priyank Kharge's name had surfaced in connection with exam irregularities and suggested another ministerial resignation was imminent.

Valmiki Corporation: BJP Calls Nagendra a 'Scapegoat'

Both leaders framed the ₹187 crore Valmiki Corporation diversion as a systemic failure rather than an individual lapse. Ashoka alleged the funds — meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — were used during elections in Telangana and Ballari, and described Nagendra as only a 'scapegoat,' demanding accountability from the broader Congress leadership.

This is not the first time the BJP has raised the Valmiki Corporation case; the controversy has been a central plank of the party's opposition strategy since the scam surfaced, and the padayatra represents an escalation of that pressure campaign.

Other Demands and Senior BJP Presence

Ashoka also demanded the resignation of Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy over remarks he reportedly made praising Islam, alleging that the minister had insulted Hinduism. He urged Chief Minister Shivakumar to remove Rayareddy from the Cabinet.

The BJP additionally flagged pending pensions, ration card cancellations, alleged garbage tender irregularities, the tunnel road project, and the Bidadi Township issue as ongoing grievances.

The Ballari Chalo padayatra drew significant senior BJP presence, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Bommai, former minister B. Sriramulu, and a large contingent of party legislators and workers.

With the BJP signalling that its agitation will expand beyond the Valmiki Corporation case to encompass drought relief, recruitment irregularities, and Dalit welfare, the pressure on the Shivakumar government is set to intensify ahead of the next Assembly session.