Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Sep 12: Addressing a huge convention of farmers organized by Dakshina Kannada district unit of BJP at the Ganadapadpu ground near BC Road on Friday September 11, Karnataka state BJP president and MP, Prahlad Joshi, asked the farmers not to give in to a feeling of despair. He assured them that a farmer-friendly crop insurance that would compensate farmers against losses, would be introduced soon by the central government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The said convention was organized as part of 'Raita Chaitanya Yatre' organized by the state BJP unit.
Joshi came down heavily on the Congress-led state government, blaming it for callous handling of the issue of farmers suicides. "During the last four months, over 440 farmers have ended their lives. It would be futile to expect the state government to draft any schemes for the benefit of agriculturists, although it had risen to power by seeking votes in the name of farmer welfare. It is the responsibility of the government and society as a whole to create an environment under which the farmers are comfortable with farming, and it becomes a gainful vocation for them. But the government is playing with the lives of farmers. Although the farmers who raised crops like paddy, rubber, sugarcane, arecanut etc are reeling under losses suffered, the Siddaramaiah government is in deep slumber," he charged.
He said that the UPA government at the centre had raised 24 lac crore rupees as loan during the last ten years, but none of the MPs and MLAs had committed suicide. "Even Vijay Mallya, with a personal loan liability of Rs 22 crore, is moving around in helicopter. But farmers are ending their lives, fearing for their reputation getting hit. The aim on our part in organizing this programme is to console the distressed farmers, instill a sense of confidence in them, and encourage them not to lose hope," he explained.
Charging Congress of being the only obstacle on way of development of the country, Joshi noted that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been working 18 hours every day, and the world has been looking at India in awe. "Although Congress chose to criticize Modi as a 'tourist PM', after his visit, 12 nations invested 1.31 lac crore rupees in India," he said, adding, "At a time when our Prime Minister has been travelling the entire world to achieve progress of our country, Congress leaders have been rallying around Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for power."
"We are dependent on our farmers. If the state government does not extend facilities like loan waiver, drought relief, and power, BJP will rush to Vidhana Soudha with sticks in hand," he announced.
Leader of the opposition in state legislative council, K S Eshwarappa, urged the government to immediately bring out a white paper on its financial status. He wanted the government to provide crystal clear figures about funds released by the centre to the state in different schemes, how much money the state is in possession of, and how much loan is pending repayment by the state. "The state government led by Siddaramaiah, who is like a thick-skinned buffalo, has lost the trust of the people. The officials in the state are running the administration as per their own whims and fancies," he said.
"At a time when poor people are not getting sand to build houses, sand is being exported to even foreign countries from the state. The district in-charge minister of Dakshina Kannada and some of his close associates, are involved with this business. If Rai proves that he is not involved with this business, I am prepared to retire from active poiltics," Eshwarappa added.
"Immediately after rising to power in the state, Siddaramaiah introduced 'Anna Bhagya' scheme. Under this scheme, the central government pays Rs 29 per kg of rice, whereas Karnataka government's share is a meagre three rupees. Now, even this rice is being diverted to Tamil Nadu. "Rice from Siddaramaiah is being supplied for 'Amma Idli' there," he commented wryly.
Eshwarappa, who also happens to be a former energy minister, launched verbal tirade against current energy minister, D K Shivakumar, and condemned the minister's statement that power would not be provided for celebrating Lord Ganesha festival. He noted that Bal Gangadhar Tilak had started celebrations of Ganeshotsava to bring the nation together. He accused the minister of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus by stating that power will not be provided for Chowthi. "If the minister has the courage, let him announce non-supply of electricity for even Muslim and Christian festivals," he challenged.
"Even during the BJP government, problems of drought and shortage of power persisted. We bridged the gap by buying power in advance," he clarified, condemning the statement of minister, D K Shivakumar. He asked the government to purchase power from other states and provide the same to farmers.
Former MP,Tejaswini Ramesh, who noted that Rahul Gandhi has been conducting study of drought in BJP-ruled states, has not set aside time for this purpose for Karnataka, which is ruled by Congress. She wanted to know whether Rahul does not have the courage to visit Karnataka. She predicted that the people of the state will sound death knell for Congress in the next election, considering that Siddaramaiah goes to sleep in all the programmes.
MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, predicted that the curse of farmers who shed tears, will ensure that
Congress party will be undertaking its funeral procession by the time Raita Chaitanya Yatre comes to an end.
MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, lamented the fact that people have been terming Siddaramaiah government as the worst ever to rule Karnataka.
District BJP president, Pratap Simha Nayak, presided. Various leaders like BJP state Raita Morcha leader, Araga Jnanendra, MLAs, Sunil Kumar and S Angara, zilla panchayat members, Somanna Bevinamara, Capt Ganesh Karnik, former MLAs, Yogeesh Bhat, Rukmaya Poojary, Krishna Palemar, Lalaji R Mendon, Padmanabh Kottary, Nagaraj Shetty, Prabhakar Bangera, K Jayarama Shetty, zilla panchayat president, Asha Timmappa Gowda, and several others were present.
Former member of zilla panchayat, Monappa Bhandary, welcomed. Dakshina Kannada district BJP general secretary, Sanjeev Matandoor, proposed votes of thanks. Municpal councillor, Devadas EShetty, hosted the programme.