Illegal mining issue: Congress to start 'Bellary Chalo' padayatra

Bangalore, July 25 (ANI): The Congress leaders will embark on a "Bellary Chalo" padayatra from Bangalore to Bellary today to press the BJP government in Karnataka to order a CBI inquiry into the illegal mining issue.

They will walk for 20 km every day, covering an average of three km per hour for 15 days.

Earlier, opposition leader in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah met Governor H R Bharadwaj and apprised him of the march.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Siddaramaiah clarified that the 'padayatra" was not against any individual, but to create an awareness in the public about the failure of the BJP government in taking action against those plundering the natural resources of the state.

The padayatra ends in Bellary on August 9.

Meanwhile, in a bid to counter Congress padayatra, the BJP has announced that it hold four rallies across the state from August 2.

BJP state unit president K S Eswarappa told reporters that the BJP campaign would highlight two years of the parties achievements and the opposition's anti-people stance.

It has chosen Davanagere for the first rally. Rallies will also take place at the Gulbarga on August 5, Mysore on August 12 and Bellary on August 20. (ANI)