Illegal mining issue: Congress to start 'Bellay Chalo' programme

Stepping up its protests against the BJP government in Karnataka for its "failure" to check illegal mining and to press for their demand for a CBI probe into the issue, Congress today announced it would embark on a "Bellay chalo" padayatra from here to Bellary on July 25.

The padayatra would commence from Freedom Park in the city and end on August nine at Bellary where a massive rally will be held, KPCC president RV Deshpande told reporters here.

The padayatra is not against any individual but against illegal mining, Deshpande said.

Tourism minister G Jarnardhan Reddy, his brother and revenue minister G Karunakara Reddy and their family associate health minister B Sreeramulu have rejected opposition Congress and JDS charge that they were involved in illegal mining.

Protesting over the issue, the opposition parties disrupted proceedings in the Assembly last week, which was adjourned sine-die.

Congress last week had said it would launch the padayatra from Bangalore to Bellary.

KPCC held a meeting here yesterday to finalise date for the programme.