Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Shikaripura MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, alleged that the Karnataka Congress's 'Bharat Jodo 2.0' padyatra was directly inspired by the BJP's 'Ballari Chalo' march and that the ruling party had been compelled to undertake it. Vijayendra made these remarks in Chitradurga after visiting the 'Hindu Maha Ganapati' installed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at the Jayadeva Stadium.

Vijayendra's Challenge to the KPCC

Vijayendra acknowledged that the padyatra was passing through his own constituency, saying, 'The KPCC president is conducting a padyatra in my constituency. The credit for igniting the spark of protest in the state goes to Shikaripura. I wish the KPCC president well.' The remark was a pointed jab at the Congress, framing the march as a reactive move rather than an independent initiative.

Responding to criticism from senior Congress leader and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, MLC B.K. Hariprasad, regarding his political experience, Vijayendra said: 'I may be an LKG student and a first-time MLA. But even though Hariprasad has a PhD, he has not won a direct election so far.' The exchange reflects the sharpening political rivalry between the two camps ahead of sustained grassroots campaigning.

Banner Row and Corruption Allegations

Vijayendra firmly denied involvement in the removal of Congress flags and banners, distancing the BJP from what he described as 'low-level politics.' He said: 'We do not need the low-level politics of tearing down banners. Some people are getting their banners torn down and using it for publicity. We do not need such 420 politics.'

Hariprasad, speaking to reporters during the padyatra, had alleged that Vijayendra was responsible for the removal of Congress party flags and posters. Hariprasad also levelled corruption allegations, claiming the Shikaripura MLA was 'a model for the whole world' in matters of corruption and that Vijayendra had allegedly received a ₹17 crore bribe through an RTGS transaction in his father's name. Vijayendra categorically rejected the charge, saying the matter had been adjudicated: 'Hariprasad should control his tongue while speaking. All these allegations have been settled in court. The court has declared me innocent.'

Vijayendra Targets Hariprasad's Standing in Congress

Going beyond policy rebuttals, Vijayendra alleged that Hariprasad's public statements stem from internal frustration within the ruling party. He claimed that the KPCC chief was not being invited to programmes organised by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, saying: 'Hariprasad is speaking out of frustration. He is not even being invited to D.K. Shivakumar's programmes. Therefore, he is trying to gain sympathy by undertaking a padyatra.' The allegation, if accurate, would point to cracks within the Congress's Karnataka unit — though it could not be independently verified.

Drought, Farmers and the Seer Controversy

Vijayendra also criticised the state government's reported suggestion that religious seers should serve as ambassadors for its welfare schemes. He argued that Karnataka's ongoing drought had left farmers without adequate compensation, and that public discontent was already mounting. 'Even though the state is facing drought, farmers have not been provided adequate compensation. That is why people today are raising slogans against the government,' he said.

About the Bharat Jodo 2.0 Padyatra

The Karnataka Congress launched 'Bharat Jodo 2.0' on Wednesday from Kittadahalli village in Shikaripura taluk of Shivamogga district — Vijayendra's home turf. The march is planned across 84 Assembly constituencies where Congress lost in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, covering 29 districts over 84 days. The party has said the campaign will focus on grassroots outreach and local issues, including drought relief and farmers' grievances.

With the march cutting through BJP-held seats and the two sides trading barbs over corruption and internal hierarchy, the padyatra is shaping up as a high-stakes pre-campaign exercise ahead of the next electoral cycle in Karnataka.