Political war erupts as Congress' Mekedatu Padayatra kicks off, DK Shivakumar defies curfew order

The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday began its ten-day 'padayatra' (foot-march), demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, despite the government's Covid-19 restrictions. Led by Congress' state president DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah, the padayatra with the theme 'Namma Neeru Namma Hakku' (Our water, Our right) began at the Sangama. People in huge numbers joined the padayatra and flouted the Covid-19 protocols. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that action will be taken in case of Covid rules violation during the march.