Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura(EP)

Kundapura, Sep 11: Gurme Pravin Shetty, a state executive member of the BJP Raitha Morcha, claimed that 175 farmers have tragically taken their lives in the state within the first 100 days of the Congress government's tenure. Shettty criticized the state government for discontinuing several pro-farmer schemes initiated by the BJP and for pursuing policies detrimental to farmers.

He made these statements during protests organized by the BJP Raitha Morcha in Kundapur, denouncing the alleged anti-farmer policies of the state government. The protests took place at Shastri Circle on Monday evening.

Shetty pointed out that the state government had ceased programs such as the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Raitha Vidyanidhi scheme, Bhoosiri scheme, Shrama Shakti scheme, Raitha Sangha scheme, APMC Act, sale of agricultural land Act, district-level Goshale (cattle shelters), and the Ksheera Samradhi cooperative bank, all of which were initiated by the previous BJP government. He emphasized that these decisions had placed undue hardship on farmers and called for the government to step down immediately.

He also drew attention to the unannounced drought conditions in the state and the failure to provide free electricity to farmers for seven hours. Shetty criticized the government for its apparent lack of concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Shanker Ankadakatte, the Kundapur block BJP president, mentioned that farmers across the state had taken to the streets to protest the government's anti-farmer policies. He cited the release of water to Tamil Nadu despite water scarcity in their own region as a prime example of the government's actions that went against the interests of farmers and the general population. He characterized the government as anti-farmer and anti-people.

The protest also saw the participation of MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, BJP Mangaluru co-incharge Rajesh Kaveri, BJP Raitha Morcha Kundapur mandala president Sunil Kumar Shetty Herikudru, and other prominent BJP leaders and activists. A memorandum was later submitted to the government through the tahsildar.