Inspired by Hazare, JDS launches movement to turn heat on CM

Bangalore, May 6   :   Apparently inspired by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade, Opposition JDS in Karnataka today launched a "people's movement" targeting the BJP government led by B S Yeddyurappa over alleged corruption, nepotism and favouritsm. Gandhian H S Doreswamy inaugurated a rally at Freedom Park here marking the commencement of the "Janandolana" aimed at turning the spotlight on the allegations against the Yeddyurappa government. JDS leaders said the campaign was an "apolitical movement" to give vent to "people's ire" against political corruption. JDS supremo and former Prime Minister H D Devegowda sat among the audience braving scorching sun while a couple of leaders of Left parties and litterateurs and Doreswamy addressed a motley crowd. Gowda is leading 'Jatha' -- proceeding in a convoy of vehicles and addressing rallies at some places along the way -- from here which would culminate on May 9 at Shimoga, the home district of Yeddyurappa, where a huge rally has been planned. Similar 'Jathas' are being taken out from some parts of the state, including from Basavakalyana in Bidar district led by state unit president H D Kumaraswamy and from Chamarajanagar led by another leader H D Revanna. They would culminate at Shimoga on Monday for the "mega rally". Doreswamy, a highly respected freedom fighter, made a passionate appeal to keep the movement apolitical setting aside party affiliations. "Rooting out political corruption should be a top priority", Doreswamy said, blamed it for the "ills facing the nation." He bemoaned the role of money power in elections and said politicians were deploying graft money to lure voters and win polls. He said the movement should result in "concrete action" against political corruption. Gowda, who later spoke from the dais, said legislature, executive and judiciary were on the "decline" and held politicians responsible for the "falling standards". "It's possible to improve things only through people's power. People's movement is very essential", he said. JDS leaders maintained that the movement was driven by writers, litterateurs, artists, progressive organisations and the party was part of the initiative. The party launched the movement on the birth anniversary of Basaveshwara, a revered 12th century social reformer and philosopher of Karnataka.