The JD(S) is set to undertake a padayatra in the state of Karnataka in an attempt to revive its connections to southern parts of the state. “We are planning to start the padayatra from August 20 and cover the entire state in six months,” said senior JDS leader YSV Datta, one of the party members who has been planning out the details of the padayatra.
The statewide padayatra will reportedly begin on August 20. JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and other senior party leaders are expected to take part in the padayatra.
While he emphasised the importance and necessity of the padayatra, senior leader Deve Gowda added that the goal was not to hurt the party’s alliance with the Congress party. “I want to make it clear that our initiative should not hurt the coalition government, which was formed by a national party (Congress) and a regional party (JDS), which came together for a secular ideology," he said.
The announcement of the padayatra comes hardly a week after Deve Gowda stated that mid-term polls were imminent, a statement that led to much controversy which left several speculating about the coalition’s future. Following this, the senior party leader clarified that he was speaking only about local body elections.
Speculations of immense friction between the governing alliance have been strife since the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. Both parties managed to secure only one out of 28 seats. Adding fuel to the fire, both Deve Gowda and his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy had lost in their respective constituencies.
According to reports, the padayatra is set to take place in two phases.
The first phase of the padayatra will begin from Nanjangud and then eventually proceed to Davangere and Harihar and will continue or a period of six months. "It will go on for six months continuously,” YSV Datta added.