Bengaluru: Party has decided to hold a padayatra for the implementation of contentious Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects after the end of the assembly session, said JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda on Sunday August 22.

Speaking to media persons, he said that the protest is inevitable to protect the interests of the state. “That is why our party is taking a step forward in this direction. It will be difficult for me to do the foot march. So I will flag off the march symbolically,” Deve Gowda said.

He stated that some people are saying that the party has no strong presence in the state and is just taken into consideration as per the political situation prevailing in Karnataka. “For such people we will show our strength through this protest. Former chief minister Kumaraswamy also has said the same thing. I will also partake in that fight,” he said.

Commenting on the subject of verbal attack between Congress and BJP over Nehru and Vajpayee, Gowda said that it is not right to speak in that fashion. If they think that the image of their party will be built by giving such statements, then they are in for an illusion, he said.