Amid Karnataka bandh, Amit Shah flags off BJP's 'parivartan yatra'; hits out at Siddaramaiah govt

MYSURU: Gearing up for Assembly elections in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday flagged off a 'Parivartan Yatra' in Mysuru. Targetting the ruling government in the state, BJP President Amit Shah said the initiative is being taken "not only to change the government but also to bring change in the lives of youth and to give security to the women of Karnataka.

Shah also hit out at the Congress government in the state for not acting against the attacks on members of BJP and Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS).  

"More than 20 RSS-BJP karyakartas have been murdered in the state in last 4 years but Siddaramaiah government has let the murderers go scot free," he alleged. 

He assured that if the BJP government comes to power, it will "bring them to justice come what may."

The yatra comes on a day when Karnataka had been brought to a standstill due to protests over a Mahadeyi river water sharing dispute.

BJP has been claiming that the bandh was "politically motivated" alleging that the ruling Congress had a role to play in it. BJP alleged that Congress synchronised the with dates with Amit Shah's visit to Mysuru.

A Bengaluru bandh has been called on February 4 also, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the poll-bound state to take part in 'Nav Karnataka Parivartan Yatra' of the state unit in the city.

Karnataka, which has locked horns with Goa on sharing Mahadayi River water, is seeking release of 7.56 tmcft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.