HUBBALLI/BELAGAVI: As the agitation by farmers for early completion of Kalasa-Banduri irrigation project and sharing of water of the river Mahadayi entered the 100th day on Friday, their next course of action could impact the prospects of all political parties in forthcoming polls to zilla and taluk panchayats.
Reason: Leaders of all farmers’ organizations are set to launch a campaign by visiting every village to appeal to voters to either boycott the polls or cast their votes in favour of independent candidates who participating in the agitation.
They have renewed their strategies to step up pressure on politicians who are blaming each other rather than find an amicable solution even as the protests spread from Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot to Belagavi districts.
Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that he would lead another delegation consisting of leaders of all parties to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the government would submit an interim application to the tribunal, farmers’ leaders are of the opinion that boycott of elections would help force all politicians to arrive at a solution on the dispute.
“The government has remained indecisive about submitting an interim application to the tribunal and on leading another delegation to New Delhi. All political parties have temporarily stopped hurling charges against each other with an eye on panchayat elections.
“But, we will not relent until the government clarifies its stand. We will boycott panchayat elections by launching awareness campaigns in all villages of four districts", Vikas Soppin, convener of Kalasa Banduri Horata Samiti, told Deccan Chronicle.
The decision to boycott these forthcoming elections could prove a spanner in the works for political parties which are chalking out various strategies in the run-up to the polls. Besides, these farmers’ leaders are also planning to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to step up pressure on the Union government.
At a rally held at the project site in Kanakumbi village, the farmers’ leaders warned of renewing their demand for separate statehood if the state government continues to neglect the project.
Agitating Farmers adopt five resolutions
On culmination of their padayatra from Kudalasangama to Kankumbi, thousands of farmers demanding implementation of Kalasa-Banduri irrigation project adopted five resolutions including one demanding legislators to quit their parties and join the agitation, on Friday.
In wake of a threat from protesters to destroy the structures at Kalasa nala constructed to halt the flow of water from the Mandovi on the orders of Mahadayi water tribunal, a thick security blanket consisting of 750 police men was in place throughout the day to keep a tab on movement of protesters. Security was stepped up following a request from the Goa government to the state government to take measures to protect the sealing structures.
An indefinite protest launched at Bailhongal entered the 45th day on Friday with three more organisations joining the agitation. RTI activist Bheemappa Gadad accused the government of giving a false clarification to people on the Kalasa-Banduri irrigation project.
