A prominent link in the farmers’ movement in Karnataka has been lost with the death of K.S. Puttannaiah. This is how leaders cutting across party lines in both Houses of the State legislature saw the death of Melkote MLA Puttannaiah while paying tributesto him on Monday.
In the Legislative Assembly, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said Puttannaiah had emerged as a prominent farmers’ leader after the demise of M.D. Nanjundaswamy, who spearheaded the farmers’ movement. Though he hailed from the Cauvery basin, Puttannaiah never limited himself there and had influence throughout the State, Mr. Gowda said.
He said Puttannaiah also did not discriminate between farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the inter-State row over sharing of Cauvery waters. “He was part of the Cauvery family, a group of farmers and academicians from both States, to help resolve the row,” the Minister said.
Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra recalled how Puttannaiah used to exert pressure on the government to implement the proposed Mekedatu balancing river project. Describing him as a leader who spoke on behalf of farmers in the Assembly, Mr. Jayachandra expressed hope that more such leaders would enter the House to protect the interests of farmers.
The Assembly also recalled how Puttannaiah used to demand a pay commission for farmers to ensure that every farmer got a monthly payment from the government, on the lines of government servants.
