Bengaluru: Former BJP MLA Preetham J. Gowda from Hassan was notably absent from the padayatra. Kumaraswamy had objected to the BJP’s decision to appoint Preetham Gowda as the head of padayatra and refused to participate. Kumaraswamy accused Gowda of being the ‘kingpin’ behind distribution of pen drives containing clips of alleged sexual abuse by former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna.

Following Kumaraswamy’s objection, BJP leaders in Delhi, led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, intervened to resolve the issue.

After extensive negotiations, Kumaraswamy agreed to participate in the padayatra with his party. Ultimately, Kumaraswamy’s will prevailed, and Preetham Gowda was not present in the padayatra today.