BJP demands justice for Vinay Somaiah during protest march in Madikeri

State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, former party chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, and ex-minister B. Sreeramulu spearheaded the rally.

MADIKERI: On the third day of its Janaakrosha Yatre, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its criticism of the Congress-led state government, demanding justice for deceased party worker Vinay Somaiah. The protest, held on Wednesday, began at Chowdeshwari Temple in Mahadevpet and culminated at Ajjamada Devaiah Circle.

State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, former party chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, and ex-minister B. Sreeramulu spearheaded the rally. Participants raised slogans and carried placards denouncing the Siddaramaiah administration and Kodagu's sitting MLAs.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar also voiced his support.

During the public gathering at Ajjamada Devaiah Circle, senior BJP leaders launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, and Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda. Accusing the Congress government of favouring minority communities and failing to control inflation, they also slammed the handling of issues such as subsidies for dairy farmers, reservation policies, and budgetary allocations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra reassured party workers of the BJP's full backing and criticised the police for continuing their investigation into Vinay Somaiah's death despite a court-issued stay order. He demanded justice for the deceased and accountability from the state government.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar also voiced his support. Other leaders who attended the rally included BJP general secretary Preetam Gowda, MLAs Harish Poonja, T.S. Srivatsa, C.T. Ravi, MP Suja Kushalappa, former legislator K.G. Bopaiah, and district BJP chief Napanda Ravikalappa.