Parameshwara launches parallel yatra, claims no rift with CM

Senior leaders Kharge, Venugopal skip event

State Congress president G Parameshwara on Thursday claimed that he had no differences with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even as he launched the party's election tour from Mulbagal in Kolar district.

Parameshwara's yatra is a parallel to Siddaramaiah's  Nava Karnataka Nirmana yatra. "Opposition leaders have been stating that there is a rift between us and hence the two yatras. But we are together", he said.

Differences had arisen between the two leaders on taking out yatras. The party high command intervened into the issue and decided that the party will launch two yatras - one from the government led by Siddaramaiah and another from the Congress led by Parameshwara. However, everything seems to have not been resolved yet. Parameshwara on Thursday launched his yatra in the absence of Siddaramaiah. The chief minister was not even invited to the event.

Speaking at his first stop of the yatra - Mulbagal, Parameshwara said the Congress has already worked out a strategy for next year's Assembly polls and expressed confidence that the government will retain power as its programmes had struck a chord with the people.

He utilised the platform to launch a tirade against the BJP. He charged that the BJP-led Union Government had not come to the rescue of farmers at a time when the state was reeling under four consecutive droughts.

He said several BJP leaders in the state, including B S Yeddyurappa had landed in jail following corruption charges.

Parameshwara termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an "unethical and shameless" politician for making baseless statements against former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said the BJP might have won in Gujarat, but the party's game plan will not work in Karnataka.

Senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and K C Venugopal who were to attend the launch of yatra did not turn up.

Why Mulbagal?

Parameshwara's yatra was launched from Mulbagal, which means 'mudalabagilu' meaning eastern door. Entry from the eastern door is considered auspicious. "Former chief minister S M Krishna had launched his Panchajanya yatra from Mulbagal in 1999 and the party came to power. We are also launching the yatra from the same place and we will retain power," Parameshwara said.