Promises to take up the matter with the Centre
Vijayapura, Apr 19 (DHNS): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faced the ire of farmers on Monday, during his visit to drought-affected areas. Growers of horticulture crops were at the barrage where desilting work was being undertaken at Atharga village in the district.
When the chief minister arrived at the spot, officials were seen giving information to him regarding the work. At this stage, a group of growers told Siddaramaiah not to believe the officials and asked him to listen to their grievances.
As MLA Yashwantrayagouda Patil prompted the growers to submit a memo to the chief minister, they approached him. But some political leaders presented bouquets to the chief minister.
The chief minister’s bodyguards then instructed the farmers to move away. Soon, Siddaramaiah sat in his car and was ready to leave. The growers then waylaid the chief minister’s car. The bodyguards physically moved the protesters away, clearing the path.
Enraged, the farmers raised slogans against Siddaramaiah, district incharge Minister M B Patil and other people’s representatives. They stamped the bouquets and garlands presented to the chief minister.
Earlier, Siddaramaiah listened to the farmers’ grievances at Jodugundi near Tadavalaga of Indi taluk in the district. He said that the government would write to the Centre, seeking help for distressed farmers.