Ballari Chalo Day 3: From bullock Cart To Paddy Field, Vijayendra Walks The Farmers’ Path, Attacks Govt
The day began at Gudadur, where Vijayendra, dressed in a green shawl and dhoti, climbed onto a bullock cart and set off carrying a plough and wielding a barikolu.
Raichur: Wearing a white dhoti with green shawl, carrying a plough, riding a bullock cart and later getting his hands into the slush alongside farmers, BJP state president BY Vijayendra and his team gave the third day of the ‘Ballari Chalo Padayatra’ a rural touch on Thursday.
But the 20-km march from Gudadoor to Sindhanur was also an occasion for Vijayendra and the BJP leaders to draw attention to the distress among farmers in Kalyana Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters before the march, he cited 937 farmer suicides in the region over the past three years, including 295 in Kalaburagi, 169 in Raichur, 220 in Bidar and more than 80 in Koppal, and accused the government of failing to adequately respond to the crisis.
The day began at Gudadur, where Vijayendra, dressed in a green shawl and dhoti, climbed onto a bullock cart and set off carrying a plough and wielding a barikolu. The sight, evoking the traditional life of farmers, drew the attention of people and party workers gathered along the route.
But the padayatra soon moved beyond the usual speeches and slogans.
At Mudapur Camp, Vijayendra joined farmers in paddy transplantation, stepping into the field and taking part in the work alongside them. Later, at Koonatagi Cross, he sat down with the farmers and shared the meal they had brought with them.
The informal interactions gave the BJP leaders an opportunity to hear about the everyday concerns of farmers as they walked through villages on the route.
Vijayendra also spoke about BJP’s demand for a farm loan waiver of up to Rs 5 lakh for drought-hit farmers and called for the release of pending payments to farmers. He said the government should convene a special session to discuss the problems faced by farmers.
As the march entered Sindhanur, the team was given a warm welcome. Vijayendra paid his respects to the statues of Dr BR Ambedkar and Kanakadasa before addressing a public meeting, bringing the third day of the padayatra to a close.
Reacting to statements by Congress leaders calling for the BJP padayatra to be shown black flags, Vijayendra said the government should focus on resolving farmers’ problems instead of opposing the protest.
“Instead of showing black flags, first wipe the tears of farmers. Farmers are dying by suicide. It is the government’s responsibility to resolve their problems. People are watching everything and they will give their answer at the appropriate time,” he said.
Speaking near Sindhanur during the padayatra, Vijayendra claimed that the government had decided to withdraw the park Bill in response to the BJP’s agitation.
“The government has been rattled by the BJP’s protest. It has now taken a U-turn and is preparing to withdraw the Bill. The government should show the same responsiveness when it comes to farmers’ issues,” he added.
