Police notice under 144 section to stop Mekedatu Padayatra was illegal: D.K. Shivakumar

Congress party's much-hyped Mekedatu padayatra, which enters the second day on Monday has prompted a war of words between the ruling BJP and Congress. BJP is making an all-out effort to stop the Yatra citing Covid thrid wave, but Congress is firm in its decision to continue the Yatra for 9 days.

Police notice under 144 section to stop Mekedatu Padayatra was illegal: D.K. Shivakumar

Doddalhalli (Sathanur): KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar termed that police issued a notice under the 144 section directing Congress not to conduct Padayatra was contrary to the order of the Supreme Court order.

“ The state government has imposed stringent guidelines across the state just to prevent Padayatra of the party. Let the state government file the case against those who attended the inaugural function of Padayatra. I will send the voter ID and photos of each party worker who attended the function”, Mr. Shivakumar said.

Regarding BJP's social media sharing photos of him, in which he slipped during the walk, Mr. Shivakumar said, “BJP is so delighted to share photos of me. Otherwise they will not get motivated”,  he added.

“We will not be worried about the government’s future order including banning of padayatra, let them do whatever they want, but we are firm in continuing walk for water for nine days. Despite no transport facilities on Sunday due to weekend curfew, people have come in large number”, Mr. Shivakumar said and added that the party will welcome each and everyone who attend the walk for water. Our agitation is not for power, it is for the development of the state”, he reiterated.

Hitting back at Health and Family Welfare Minister D.K. Sudhakar, who said if any further surge in the Covid cases, Congress will be responsible for it, KPCC President said, “intention of the health minister is to blame our party. But people have not forgotten about his corrupt deeds during Covid the second wave. In the procurement of medicines and health infrastructures, he took kickback, but while giving statistics about Covid deaths, he has given the wrong figure in the Assembly”, Mr. Shivakumar alleged.

The state government has imposed restrictions and given inflated figures of Coronavirus cases just to prevent the Padayatra, Mr. Shivakumar said.