Opposition leader in Karnataka R Ashok cornered the officials in Chitradurga over the plight of farmers. At the same time, BJP President BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government of forcibly snatching the land of farmers for Bidadi Township and working for real estate.
Chitradurga (Karnataka) [भारत, 29 जुलाई (एएनआई)]: : Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashok visited dry-land farming areas in Chitradurga on Wednesday. He took stock of the seasonal crop situation and accused local departments of working entirely from offices instead of conducting ground surveys.
R Ashok angry at officials
Speaking to reporters, Ashok said he observed administrative failures during his field inspection in Chitradurga. He said, “Farmers are in distress. I myself have come to the fields today… it is not raining. Agriculture, horticulture officers and tehsildars are present now, but till now no officer has come to survey the farmers’ fields. They are just sitting in the office and making reports. Because of this, many farmers will be left out. There has not been enough publicity about insurance in this district.”
Vijayendra’s attack on the government on Bidadi Township
Earlier this month, BJP Karnataka state president BY Vijayendra had launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, alleging that it was “forcibly snatching away fertile land of farmers” in the Bidadi area in the name of satellite townships to serve “real estate interests of the high command”.
‘Government is snatching away farmers’ land for real estate’
Addressing a protest rally organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party in support of the farmers of Bidadi, Vijayendra said, “The Congress government and Chief Minister DK Shivkumar are forcibly snatching away the fertile land of farmers in Bidadi. To feed the high command, they have entered into the real estate business.”
Vijayendra accused the government of committing “atrocities” by compulsorily acquiring land from poor farmers who are entirely dependent on agriculture. “Families with 4-5 acres are being pushed onto the streets. But Congress leaders and MLAs have no hindrance in owning hundreds and thousands of acres of land in the same Bidadi area. This exposes their double standards,” he said.
He further alleged that while the CM has no time to address the distress of farmers in North Karnataka, he is giving priority to “real estate-based projects” like Bidadi Township and Kanakapura Airport.
Referring to an alleged promise made to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, Vijayendra claimed, “She had said, ‘If you make me the Chief Minister, I will build Bidadi Township and provide opportunities to the DLF company.’ Now he is kicking the farmers in the stomach.”
‘Farmers who do not give land are getting threats’
The BJP chief alleged that “goons” are being sent to the homes of farmers who are refusing to hand over their land and they are being given threats like “you will not survive”. “On one hand, the CM says the land will not be taken forcibly. On the other hand, the government is filing false cases against protesting farmers and sending them to jail. This is the arrogance of power,” he alleged.
‘This real estate is the Congress department’
Taking a jibe at the government, Vijayendra said that even months after Congress came to power, there is no clarity on who is the agriculture minister of the state. He said, “The CM has sidelined the agriculture department. If justice is to be done, its name should be changed to ‘Real Estate Congress Department’.” (ANI)
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