Putting bitterness behind, BSY, Gowda shake hands

They sat next to each other for an hour, exchanged pleasantries, discussed the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project and then dispersed.

On January 10, while staging a protest against the BMIC project, Gowda had abused Yeddyurappa using the choicest expletives. The chief minister had not retaliated but took jibes at the former prime minister. At that time, Gowda came under fire from all political quarters for foul-mouthing Yeddyurappa.

On an invitation from the chief minister, Gowda and some farmers met Yeddyurappa and officials to explain how the MBIC project had turned “anti-farmer”. Yeddyurappa, who lent a patient ear, assured Gowda and company that his government will abide by the Supreme Court order on the issue.

The two leaders shook hands before Yeddyurappa ushered Gowda into his office chamber. But, the chief minister did not specify which court order would be implemented.

There are two crucial court orders on the BMIC project: one is a direction to the government and NICE to adhere to the original frame work agreement of 1995 while executing the road work; the second is a court decision upholding the government’s argument that the road alignment would be in accordance with the 2004 Outline Development Plan (ODP).

Although the JD (S) insists that the alignment should be according to the original framework agreement, it appreciated Yeddyurappa’s gesture to invite the farmers to listen to their woes.

Yeddyurappa did not brief the media on the outcome of the meeting, but the farmers said the chief minister told them that he would abide by the project MoU and the court order.  On their part, the farmers said the CM assured them that the land losers’ apprehensions would be considered before filing an affidavit before the court six weeks from now.

Gowda told reporters that the grievances of the land-losers would be submitted to the CM in writing on Sunday. “We will await the CM’s reaction and then decide on the next course of action,” he said.

One assurance made by the CM to the delegation, according to Gowda, was that as per the court order, he would invite the representatives of land-losers to the high-power committee meeting. The panel is headed by Yeddyurappa.

The CM watched a power-point presentation on the farmers’ claims. The delegation presented records to show that the deviations from the framework agreement signed in 1995 had proved detrimental to thousands of farmers. “The CM has assured us that he will take the next move after going through all the records presented by us”, the JD (S) leader said.

A section of farmers, who were not allowed entry to the meeting venue, raised anti-government and anti-NICE slogans.

The CM was accompanied by Cabinet colleagues Suresh Kumar, C M Udasi, R Ashok, Katta Subramanya Naidu, D B Chandre Gowda, MP and a battery of officials. Gowda later met Governor H R Bhardwaj and submitted a memorandum explaining how the BMICP was being implemented in violation of the agreements.

Later, speaking at a party function where K S Eshwarappa took charge as the new State BJP President, Yeddyurappa said he has told Gowda that the Government will implement the BMIC project as per the Supreme Court order and the original agreement.