Congress on Sunday kickstarted its 320-km 'Bellary Chalo Padayatra' from the city to highlight "failure" of the BJP government in Karnataka on various issues, including illegal mining.
The 'padayatra' from Bengaluru to Bellary was aimed at protecting Karnataka from the "misrule" of the government and to highlight plundering of natural resources, Congress leaders said.
The 'padayatra' is in response to a challenge thrown by BJP Bellary ministers Janaradhana Reddy, Karunakara Reddy and Sriramulu daring the Congress to step into Bellary.
Congress had directed its workers from 15 assembly constituencies to participate in the programme.
The party leaders had met Karnataka governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, on Saturday seeking protection for the padayatra as they said they feared BJP would try to disrupt the programme.
The padayatra will culminate at Bellary in a rally on August 9, coinciding with 'Quit India Movement' day.