Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)

Mysore, Aug 13: In connection with threat posed by Pejawar Mutt Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, who is on ‘Chaturmasya Vrita’ in the city, to go on a hunger strike, state Chief Minister (CM), B S Yeddyurappa, met the Swamiji on Thursday August 12. The Swamiji had threatened to launch a hunger strike if the government does not shelve its plan to acquire additional 900 acres of agricultural land for Mangalore Special Economic Zone. He had said that acquiring additional land would be against the promises made to him by the state leaders. The CM’s visit was kept a guarded secret, in order not to allow the occasion to blow into another controversy.

Yeddyurappa met the Swamiji at ‘Srikrishna Dhama’ here and held secret discussions with him. The Swamiji reportedly urged the CM not to acquire any additional agricultural lands against the wishes of the farmers for MSEZ. The CM promised that the government would take a decision on the issue only after consulting him. He said he would go through the details during his visit to Mangalore on Friday.

Reportedly, minister, S Suresh Kumar and Ramachandra Gowda, who had accompanied the CM, stayed away from the discussions. Giving details to the reporters in the evening, the CM said that he would hold discussions on the issues raised by the Swamiji with the officials of Dakshina Kannada district during his visit there on Friday and Saturday.