JD(S) launches campaign against BJP 'misrule'

Under the aegis of Jayaprakash Narayana Janandolana Vedike, the JD(S), with the support of the Left parties, a section of writers and progressive thinkers, is seeking to turn the spotlight on the allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism against the Yeddyurappa government.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda sat among the audience braving the scorching sun while leaders of the Left parties, dalit organisations and litterateurs addressed a motley crowd from a makeshift dais.

The JD(S) claims the ‘jatha’ is an “apolitical movement” to give vent to people’s ire against political corruption.

Gandhian H S Doreswamy “flagged off” the campaign from Freedom Park in Bangalore with a call to root out corruption in high places and strengthen democracy. The Bangalore leg of the campaign is being led by Gowda. Proceeding in a convoy of vehicles, Gowda will address rallies for the next three days with the jatha culminating in Shimoga on May 9.

Gowda’s son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy launched the Bidar leg of the jatha from Basavakalyan. Similar jathas from Belgaum (led by former Union minister Basavaraj Patil Yatnal) and Mandya (led by H D Revanna) would be taken out from Saturday.

All the jathas will culminate in Shimoga, the home district of Yeddyurappa, for a mega rally on Monday. More than one lakh people are expected to attend the rally.

Political corruption

Doreswamy made a passionate appeal to keep the movement apolitical setting aside party affiliations. He suggested the constitution of a ten-member core committee, comprising eminent personalities with immaculate public record, to ensure the campaign succeeds in achieving its goal of weeding out political corruption. He blamed political parties for the ills facing the nation.

Gowda said the three pillars of democracy — the legislature, the executive and the judiciary — were on the “decline” and held politicians responsible for the falling standards. He said only a strong people’s movement can improve the situation.

Gowda said he would participate as a common man in the campaign against corruption. “I am prepared to sleep in marriage halls or courtyard of houses, to be with the people,” he said.