Bangalore:
The 320-km 'padyatra' by Congress in Karnataka, perceived as a major comeback vehicle for the party after its string of electoral defeats since 2004, is all set to enter Bellary, its destination point, on Monday, marking the culmination of a 16-day long walk and a 'symbolic victory' for the party which had launched an anti-corruption blitzkrieg against the ruling BJP in the state.
The Bangalore to Bellary 'padyatra' was kicked off with great fanfare on July 25 by Karnataka Congress heavyweights amidst blowing of bugle, slogan shouting and a pooja to draw attention of the public towards the BJP-ruled government's "failures" on various fronts including inability to curb illegal mining in Bellary.
Taking on the gauntlet thrown by the Bellary troika ministers - G Karunakara Reddy, G Somashekara Reddy and B Sriramulu - in the state Assembly on July 9 daring Congress to step on their home turf, its leader Siddaramaiah announced that it would undertake the padyatra to the mining hub and take on the mining czars on their native soil and citadel.
Though initially perceived as a knee jerk reaction by Congress, the huge response received by the 'padyatra' and undaunted spirit with which its leaders marched on unmindful of the scorching heat, heavy downpour, uneven land, and battling physical exhaustion, aching limbs and sore feet, had succeeded in transforming the yatra into serious affair, sending home a strong message that Congress believed in 'walking the talk', political analysts said.
Initially dismissed as a "political gimmick" of the Congress by BJP, the strong support by locals where the 'padyatra' touched and the warm response en route forced the saffron brigade to issue statements denouncing the march, they said.
The 'padyatra' hitting the nail on the head and succeeding in sending jitters down the BJP was evident from the fact that the Bellary minister B Sreeramulu, tonsured his head, plunged into rally mode in parts of Bellary sporting black robes to counter the growing popularity of the 'padyatra' which the Congress leader Siddaramaiah had termed as becoming "a people's padyatra".
Sreeramulu's statement that he had chosen to do so to ward off the evil eye of Congress on Bellary, invited jibe from the Congress which described him as a "political novice".