Mangaluru, October 24, 2026 — The Dakshina Kannada unit of the BJP has announced an extensive series of padayatras and protests, slated to take place across 250 locations in the district before November 15. Operating under the banner 'Namma Hakkigagi Namma Hejje' (Our Step for Our Rights), the party aims to spotlight what it describes as the Congress-led state government's shortcomings and the public's mounting challenges.
BJP district president Sathish Kumpala outlined the campaign's scope, which includes demonstrations in front of all gram panchayats and urban local bodies. A significant padayatra is planned from Kavoor culminating at the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) office in Lalbagh, with protests also scheduled in every MCC ward.
Kumpala enumerated several grievances, alleging that eligible citizens face hurdles in receiving social security pensions. He cited persistent delays in obtaining crucial documents like Form 9/11, Form 9/11B, 11E sketches, and single-site approvals. Additionally, he claimed difficulties in acquiring BPL ration cards and inadequate crop insurance compensation for farmers. The state government, he asserted, had failed to allocate houses and sites to the poor over the past three years and had not effectively addressed the wild elephant menace plaguing the district.
Beyond these local issues, Kumpala confirmed the district unit would also organize the 'Prajatantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) campaign — a nationwide directive — before November 5. This initiative will feature Yuva Samvada programs and interactions with intellectuals.
Responding to inquiries about the timing of these protests ahead of upcoming local body elections, Kumpala affirmed the BJP's readiness for polls at any juncture. He reiterated that the actions were fundamentally against the government's "anti-people policies." He also dismissed allegations of vote theft, stating such claims defy the Congress's electoral success in states like Kerala and Karnataka.
Separately, Kumpala addressed an alleged sting operation involving a woman from Dakshina Kannada. He accused Congress leaders of bringing disrepute to the district and demanded a thorough investigation. Citing Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah's comment that the sting aimed to secure a Puttur Assembly constituency ticket, Kumpala questioned the potential involvement of those who ultimately won the Puttur election. He called for the probe to extend to similar operations in other Assembly constituencies during party ticket distribution.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalore Today