Hubballi: Farmers threatened to intensify the Mahadayi movement, during a rally in Nargund on Sunday to mark the completion of two years of the agitation.
Karnataka Raitha Sene president Veeresh Sobaradmath has started a fast-unto-death with several others till all four MPs from the region and other elected representatives find a solution to the water dispute by taking it up with Goa CM Manohar Parikkar. Many of them took pledge to undertake a ‘do or die battle’ to pressure the governments. Farmers arrived from various parts of North Karnataka to condemn the ‘lethargic’ attitude of all political parties.
Dr Siddalinga Swamiji of Gadag Tontadarya Mutt warned that the government will be responsible if the agitation takes a violent turn again like it happened last year. He charged that farmers are made scapegoats due to the blame game between Congress and BJP. He appealed to BJP MPs to boycott Parliamentary proceedings until the dispute is resolved.
Criticizing CM Siddaramaiah for failure to implement Kalasa Banduri project, farmer leader and legislator K.S. Puttanaiah sought a constitutional amendment to remove all hurdles to drinking water projects. “Goa is causing injustice to our farmers by contending that Kalasa-Banduri project will affect flora and fauna. But the court has rejected its argument as Mahadayi river is the lifeline of farmers who are devastated by recurring droughts. Karnataka will witness another bloodshed like the farmers’ rebellion in 1980 in Nargund if all political parties continue their negligent attitude,” Puttanaiah warned.
