Don’t know what conspiracy is behind farmers opposing Cauvery aarti, projects: Mandya MLA P Ravikumar

There will be no negative impact on the KRS dam due to these two projects. Tourists from across the country and foreign countries should visit the district, the MLA said.

Mandya: MLA P Ravikumar on Tuesday said that the state government will go ahead with the amusement park and Cauvery aarti projects, near the KRS dam in Mandya district, despite dissent. The farmers’ children will be benefited from the projects, as employment opportunities would be generated in Mandya district, the Congress leader said.

"Mandya, which resembles a big village, should be developed. I don’t know what conspiracy is behind the farmers’ opposition for these projects," he said .

Speaking to media persons, in Mandya on Tuesday, Ravikumar said, “There will be no negative impact on the KRS dam due to these two projects. Tourists from across the country and foreign countries should visit the district".

To a farmer leader’s question of why should the government spend Rs 100 crore for Rs 20 camphor for the aarti, the MLA responded, "Rs 20 is enough to light a camphor. But, if 20,000 people come, there is a need for infrastructure to sit and watch the ritual. The DPR will be done for the projects. You check on the expenditure details of the process. If you find any corruption, file a case and send me to jail," the MLA said.

To Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s statement that he opposed the Rs 100 crore Cauvery aarti, he taunted, “It is not like Kumaraswamy announcing crores for a project when in power and forgetting it later. Our government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the projects and it will come to fruition."

On Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Delhi visit and a possible reshuffling of the Cabinet, he said, “I am not an aspirant for the post of minister. This is my first term as MLA and I am happy doing good work for the people”.

On the recent stampede in Bengaluru, during RCB celebrations, he said, “It is the BJP’s habit to do politics on deaths. When actor Dr Rajkumar passed away, police personnel shot at four fans. Was there no security failure then? Didn't Kumaraswamy know that security had to be provided?"