Raichur (Karnataka), Sep 3 (PTI) The third day of the BJP’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra, organised to highlight what the party termed administrative failures of the Congress government and problems faced by farmers and oppressed communities, concluded in Sindhanur on Thursday.
The party also demanded that crop loans of drought-hit farmers be waived up to Rs 5 lakh.
The padayatra began at Gudadoor and covered around 20 km before reaching Sindhanur.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, who led the march, rode a bullock cart carrying a plough while flagging off the day’s programme.
Opposition Chief Whip in the Assembly Doddanagouda Patil, MLAs C C Patil, Sunil Kumar, Ravikumar, Harish Poonja and Shailendra Beldale, former minister B Sriramulu, local leaders, party workers and farmers participated in the third day’s programme.
Addressing reporters before the march, Vijayendra said the BJP had launched the agitation to highlight alleged corruption and failures of the Congress government and draw attention to farmers’ problems.
He also alleged that funds meant for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) were being diverted towards guarantee schemes and demanded that the money be used for the development of Dalits and other oppressed communities.
The BJP chief criticised the government over farmer suicides in the state and claimed that 3,655 farmers had died by suicide in Karnataka over the past three years, including 937 in Kalyana Karnataka.
Citing figures, he said 295 farmer suicides had been reported in Kalaburagi, 169 in Raichur, 220 in Bidar and more than 80 in Koppal.
“Priyank Kharge (Home Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge), please take seriously the fact that 295 farmers have died by suicide in Kalaburagi district alone. The government must respond to the distress of the food provider,” he said.
Vijayendra demanded that crop loans of drought-hit farmers be waived up to Rs 5 lakh, while pointing out that more than 190 taluks in the state were facing drought-like conditions.
He also sought immediate payment of around Rs 145 crore in pending minimum support price (MSP) dues to maize growers and release of incentives due to dairy farmers.
Welcoming the government’s decision to hold such a special session of state legislature from September 21 to 23, Vijayendra said his party would raise issues, including agricultural loan waiver during the proceedings.
He also sought desilting of the Hospet Dam and priority for the Navali reservoir project aimed at storing 31 TMC of water.
During the march, Vijayendra participated in paddy transplantation along with women farmers at Muddapur Camp. Later, at Kunatagi Cross, he sat with women farmers and shared a meal brought by them.
He also interacted with farmers and members of the public along the route to hear their grievances.
On entering Sindhanur, Vijayendra and those marching with him received a welcome from BJP workers and members of the public.
Responding to statements by Congress leaders allegedly calling for black-flag protests against the padayatra, Vijayendra said the government should concentrate on resolving farmers’ problems instead of opposing the BJP’s agitation.
“Instead of showing black flags, first wipe the tears of farmers. Farmers are dying by suicide. It is the government’s responsibility to resolve their problems. The people are watching everything, and at the appropriate time, the people themselves will give their answer,” he said.
He also urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to give greater priority to farmers’ issues rather than matters related to real estate. PTI KSU KH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.