Savarkar Rath Yatra sets BJP in poll mode

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru

 With former CM and member, BJP Parliamentary Board B.S.Yediyurappa flagging of the ‘Savarkar Rath Yatra’ from Mysuru on Tuesday, there are clear indications that the party is planning to use this as an election plank for the consolidation of Hindu votes across the State.

According to details available, the rath yatra will travel across all 31 districts to give a picture of Savarkar in the wake of a ‘negative campaign’ launched by the Congress Party and Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah in particular.

The Congress leader had questioned Savarkar’s credentials as a freedom fighter and had sought documents from BJP leaders to prove that he really participated in the freedom struggle. While other Congress leaders including KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar chose not to comment on the Savarkar issue realising its impact on the majority Hindu votes, Siddaramaiah has gone hammer and tongs against Savarkar.

 Siddaramaiah has also questioned the reason behind putting up the Savarkar cutout in a minority dominated locality in Shivamogga. Infuriated Hindu youth protested against the Congress leader during his visit to Kodagu district for inspecting rain damaged areas with a miscreant throwing an egg at his car.

 Close on the heels of this incident, Congress workers and fans of Siddaramaiah burnt the pictures of Savarkar in public to vent their anger. Later the BJP came up with the idea of taking out ‘Savarkar Rath Yatra’ in 31 districts of the State.

Messages have been sent to all district BJP units to receive the rath yatra, take it around the city and make speeches explaining the life and achievements of Savarkar. Mysuru was selected for the launch and Yediyurappa was invited as it is the first public function of the Lingayat leader after becoming Parliamentary Board member.

The BJP is reportedly hoping that Congress workers will disrupt the rath yatra so that they can derive political mileage from it.

The police department is keeping its fingers crossed on the rath yatra particularly when it travels through coastal Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.

The rath yatra is expected to complete the visit of all 31 districts in the next 10-15 days