JDS Withdraws Support From BJP's Padayatra Over Preetham Gowda's Involvement

The Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) has withdrawn its support for the coalition partner BJP's seven-day padayatra against the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The padayatra, which was scheduled to commence on August 3, aimed to highlight these alleged irregularities, traversing through several JDS strongholds from Bengaluru to Mysuru.

The decision to withdraw support came after HD Kumaraswamy, a prominent JDS leader, expressed his dissatisfaction with the BJP. Speaking to the media, Kumaraswamy claimed he felt insulted by the BJP, stating that he was never included in decision-making processes and accusing the BJP of ill-treating him. He specifically criticised the BJP for inviting Preetham Gowda to a meeting alongside him. Kumaraswamy highlighted that Preetham Gowda was responsible for the Hassan pendrive incident, which had caused harm to the HD Devegowda family.

The announcement of the week-long padayatra came after a coordination committee meeting between the leaders of both parties, including Kumaraswamy and his ministerial colleague Pralhad Joshi. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, speaking to the press on Sunday, said, "We discussed the two alleged scams in detail and decided on the padayatra." The planned route was to pass through JD(S) strongholds in the Vokkaliga heartland of Ramanagara, Mandya, and Mysuru districts.

The ruling and opposition parties had clashed over these issues during the recently concluded monsoon session of the State legislature. The BJP-JD(S) coalition was denied permission to raise the alleged irregularities in MUDA, leading to a night-long dharna by opposition legislators. The legislative proceedings were particularly stormy during the discussions on the Valmiki development corporation irregularities. After being denied the opportunity to fully discuss these issues in the legislature, the opposition had indicated plans to undertake a padayatra to bring attention to their concerns.