Bengaluru, Sep 13 (IANS): Key Karnataka Congress leaders on Monday set out for the Vidhana Soudha (the legislative assembly) on bullock carts to register the party's protest against the ruling BJP government's failure to arrest price hike of fuel, LPG cylinder and daily commodities. 

The strategy is to dampen the spirits of the ruling BJP on the first day of the assembly session.

The ruling party, after wrestling power in Mysuru City Corporation and registering a thumping win in Belagavi City Corporation election for the first time is upbeat under the new Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Covid management in the state has also boosted the saffron party's spirit.

However, the Congress' bullock cart protest plans will embarrass the ruling BJP on the very first day of the session.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah are all set to travel on bullock carts with few of their followers from their residences located in different parts of Bengaluru city.

"I will start from home at 9 a.m. on bullock cart till Vidhana Soudha. Siddaramaiah will begin from his residence at 9.30 a.m. and he will also reach Vidhana Soudha on a bullock cart," Shivakumar stated.

"The BJP-led union government is not reducing the prices of daily commodities. The government is being adamant despite several protests across the nation.

"Keeping the heavy traffic movement at peak hours of on Monday, only I and Siddaramaiah will go on bullock carts and protest in the premises of Vidhana Soudha," he maintained.

Shivakumar demanded registration of suo moto case against ruling BJP in the state as one of its MLAs and former minister has given a statement that he was offered money by the party at the time of quitting Congress party.

"I congratulate the former minister Shrimanth Patil for bringing out the truth. Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) should start the investigation as to who made the offer of money," he added.