BJP flays action against sugarcane farmers

The state BJP will launch a state-wide agitation against the “barbaric approach” of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government towards the plight of farmers.

In a press statement on Sunday, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa condemned the arrest of farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkot, who were demanding minimum support price for sugarcane.

“The chief minister has also cast aspersions on the integrity of farmers, which, by any standard is unacceptable.

“By calling the farmers ‘goondas,’ Kumaraswamy has indulged in an outrageous act,” Yeddyurappa said.

The BJP leader pointed out that the chief minister had said that he was not responsible if the sugar factory owners had not paid the dues to the sugarcane farmers for the last five years as he (Kumaraswamy) had become chief minister only five months ago. “This is ridiculous,” Yeddyurappa said.

Meeting tomorrow

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has convened a meeting of sugarcane farmers and sugarcane factory owners in Bengaluru on Tuesday to resolve all issues.

The meeting will be held at Vidhana Soudha, according to a note from the chief minister’s office.