Bengaluru: Hitting back, CM Siddharamaiah said the BJP Yatra was not about ‘Parivarthana’ but an act of ‘Paschathapa’ (repentance) for the BJP and what he called its misdeeds, including pitting communities against each other and spreading hatred.

“BJP leaders are the ones who need to undergo transformation because they are disrupting communal harmony in the name of Hindutva,” he said.  

The CM said the people of Karnataka, who gave the BJP a chance to govern a few years ago, have not forgotten the crimes committed by them. “During the tenure of Yeddyurappa, the Reddy brothers of Bellary were allowed to loot the State. They were given a free run in return for funds provided by them,” he added.

CM to set out on his own Yatra

Meanwhile, in  response to the Parivarthana Yatra,  the CM said he is planning his own campaign in December to counter the BJP’s Yatra. The campaign to be called as “Jana Aashirvada Yatra,” will commence from Dec. 15 in Bidar and will continue till Jan. 30, 2018.

The Yatra will cover all the 30 districts and despite his responsibilities of governance, Siddharamaiah is planning to address at least three rallies in each district.

However, the planning of the Yatra is still in the early stages and details related to the Chief Minister’s schedule are still being worked out. The Yatra will be distinct from other campaigns of the Congress, it is learnt.