MYSURU: In a display of solidarity with farmers facing crisis in the state, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday sowed paddy seedings at Aralukuppe in Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district, on Saturday. Rolling up his dhoti, Mr Kumaraswamy reminisced how he had worked in their farm land when he was a child. He had sown paddy seedings along with his mother. He said, “I have got into paddy field after 25 years. It is indeed my privilege to participate in sowing paddy today. This has been one of the fulfilling experiences of life," he said.
The objective of Mr Kumaraswamy's programme was to urge agriculturists not to take any drastic steps like suicide in the event of distress. It is also seen as a move to silence critics in the opposition that he was fully aware of the problems faced by farmers. Before venturing into the field, Mr Kumaraswamy paid his obeisance to Lord Hanuman at the local Anjaneya temple.
As soon as Mr Kumaraswamy started sowing the saplings amid a steady drizzle, people thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the chief minister. Utter commotion prevailed as youth tried to take selfies with him. He said "Mandya sugarcane factory will be rejuvenated. We will start a new sugarcane factory at Pandavapura taluk. I have come here whole heartedly. I will spend a day in a month in all 30 districts.”
And it was a memory to cherish and there was no bound for 60 members (all relatives) of family of 88 year old Mahadevamma wife of late Kenchegowda and their sons Yogendra and Lokesh, family of 55 year old Maayamma and late Kempeerigegowda and their sons Yogendra and Hemanthkumar, family of late Kullamma wife of late Hulibojegowda and their sons Devraj and Madhu, family of 35 year old Hemalatha Mahesh in whose land CM sowed paddy and even the villagers of Aralkuppe. Later, addressing the gathering, the CM said he has concern for farmers as he himself has worked in the agriculture field. "I know your sufferings. I myself sowed saplings, harvested crops nd carried manure on my head..," he said.
Mr Kumaraswamy said he has decided to visit one district a month and devote a full day working in the field. Besides, he said he has prepared a blue print to improve the agriculture sector and a policy was in the offing to increase their income. The CM appealed to the farmers not to take any extreme step when they were facing distress as the state government has taken measures to redress their grievances. Mr Kumaraswamy flayed the opposition for terming the event a 'drama.'
