Karnataka: Congress back to its favourite haunt of 'padayatra politics' from February 22

UDUPI: Congress is gearing up for ‘padayatra’ politics, this time to create public awareness about the farm laws that the union government has introduced. The padayatra spanning six days will commence at Hejamady on February 22 and end at Shiroor, the northern border of the district. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar will undertake this padayatra with other local and state Congress leaders.
Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of Udupi District Congress Committee told reporters here on Friday that the ‘padayatra’ will focus on the ‘flipside’ of the farm laws, which he said had already gained negative traction among a wide cross section of society. Farmers in North India have already announced their intent to continue their on-going agitation till such time that the union government rescinds the law and Congress will support it, he said.
People are bearing the brunt for giving BJP led alliance a second term. Various amendments that the government has introduced in the APMC sector, labour are against the interests of common people. Relentless increase in prices of petrol, diesel, steel and cement has hurt the prospects of common man dependent on these products, he said adding the ‘Janadwani’ padayatra covering will create awareness about these ‘anti people’ policies
This padayatra will also see Congress put on a united face for leaders from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi including U T Khader, K Abhaychandra Jain, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Pramod Madhwaraj, Mithun Rai, and Gopal Poojari will be part of the event each day. The leaders will cover a distance of 10 to 20 km every day till February 27 where a valedictory function will be held to send home a clear message to the ruling BJP government.
The BJP government at the centre is ruining the system by going in for privatisation and many government institutions have been already pawned off to private players. This is a clear indication that the government is not capable of managing the institutions, he said adding several people face the risk of losing their jobs. Former urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Congress leader Alevoor Harish Kini and others were present.