BENGALURU: Farmers of Navalagund, Naragund, Annigere and Hubbali region, who are in the forefront of a long-drawn agitation for speedy construction of Kalasa Banduri drinking water project, have decided to draw the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit Belagavi on February 27.
Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Mr Kona Reddy, who has been leading the agitation, told media persons here on Friday that all organizations supporting the agitation and leaders of all political parties, in particular those belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party, would be a part of the delegation scheduled to meet Mr Modi. Clarifying that he had joined the stir as a farmer and not as JD(S) legislator, he said none from any party was allowed to participate in the agitation for more than 200 days.
He alleged that BJP leaders are of the view that it was the responsibility of ruling Congress to handle the issue.
However, Chief Minister of Goa Mr Parsekar and Union water resources minister Ms Uma Bharati have written a letter, suggesting that the dispute be handled by the Tribunal. Evidently, the letter was written due to pressure from the BJP government in Goa, he added.
Mr Reddy urged MPs including Mr Pralhad Joshi, Mr Ananth Kumar, Mr D V Sadananda Gowda, Mr G M Siddesh and Mr Venkaiah Naidu to come to the rescue of the state, as this was an apolitical movement. Meanwhile, Mr Reddy urged the state government to waive all farm loans to the tune of '29,000 crores. The state government has already declared 136 taluks as drought hit and farmers are not in a position to repay their loans, he added.
