BJP’s ‘Save Democracy’ campaign begins in Karnataka’s Kolar

BJP workers staged a padayatra in Kolar on Tuesday. | Photo credit: special arrangement

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Save Democracy and Reject Anarchy’ campaign launched across the country to counter the Congress’ campaign against the Special Intensive Review kicked off in Karnataka from Kolar on Tuesday.

BJP central campaign coordinator and party state in-charge Harish Dwivedi spearheaded Tuesday’s protest, which included a padayatra in the presence of prominent state leaders including former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, state president BY Vijayendra and leaders of opposition in both houses of the legislature R. Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Dwivedi told reporters that instead of trying to introspect the reasons behind poll debacles, the Congress has made a habit of blaming the Election Commission of India or EVMs soon after every poll.

He claimed that the ongoing SIR process was nothing new. “This was in practice during the times of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. SIR is nothing but cleaning the electoral rolls with corrections because some people would shift and there would be deaths,” he said.

Addressing the rally, Mr. Yediyurappa alleged that the Congress had conspired to overthrow the very democratic system in India. He said BJP will create awareness in this regard through this campaign. He said the BJP-JD(S) combine is bound to form its government in the state after the 2028 Assembly elections.

Mr. Vijayendra said the party was trying to create awareness against anti-national forces trying to destabilize the country. Mr. Ashok noted that the Congress was only blaming EVMs and SIRs for its poll debacles, though it had lost them for not taking up development work.

He alleged that Congress, CJP and Aam Aadmi Party had decided to create chaos in the entire country. “They are trying to seize power by undermining democracy, but that will do them no good,” he claimed.

BJP leaders are gearing up for a padayatra in Chitradurga on Wednesday as part of the campaign.

Published – 03 Nov 2026 23:39 IST