Former minister says his party will function as the voice of the backward communities; condemns power struggle in the BJP.
It is the season of political yatras. While Congress leaders are already on the move in the coastal districts to strengthen the party, anticipating polls in the state, MLA B Sriramulu is ready to hit the road from January 15.
Sriramulu — whose Badavara Shramikara Raithara Congress party was registered recently with the Election Commission — has chalked out a hectic programme to strike roots in northern Karnataka. The rebel BJP leader has done his caste arithmetic as the yatra would be launched from Basavakalyana, a pilgrim centre for the dominant Veerashaiva community.
Sriramulu, who has established considerable influence among the SC/STs in Bellary and surrounding districts, foresees a bright future for his new political outfit if he could forge an alliance among Dalits, backward communities, Muslims and Veerashaivas.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Sriramulu said his party would function as the voice of the backward communities, farmers and the working class.
It would work in tandem with like-minded outfits to ensure social justice for the deprived classes.
Commenting on the prevailing political condition in the state, Sriramulu condemned the ongoing tussle for power within the ruling BJP. “Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s aspiration to become chief minister again is shocking. He should strive to take up issues like drought relief and housing for those who lost their homes due to floods and not hanker for power,” Sriramulu said.
Expressing concern at the economic condition of farmers, Sriramulu wants the Swaminathan committee report on agricultural reforms to be implemented. He demanded chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda to lead a delegation of state MPs to prime minister Manmohan Singh to exert pressure to implement the report.
With Yeddyurappa, too, contemplating a state-wide tour after January 15 with special emphasis on northern Karnataka, the people of the state are set to witness a stiff competition among political leaders to woo them.
Though Yeddyurappa has not finalised his yatra plans, sources close to him are mulling to launch it from Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district, a major pilgrim centre for the Veerashaiva community or Tumkur, where the Siddaganga Mutt, the most influential Veerashaiva mutt, is located.
While efforts are on to dissuade Yeddyurappa from going ahead with his yatra plans, Sriramulu has decided to take a head start to ensure that his newly launched BSR Congress strikes roots in over 100 assembly constituencies in the state.
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