Activists of the Janata Dal (Secular) on Tuesday burnt effigies of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in different parts of the district in protest against the Supreme Court order to release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu.
Melkote MLA C.S. Puttaraju, who led the protest in Mandya, alleged that advocates representing the State had failed to present the situation at Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir before the Supreme Court.
Mr. Puttaraju and the party activists participated in a protest at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Circle on Bangalore-Mysore State Highway where they burnt an effigy of Ms. Jayalalithaa.
Mr. Puttaraju held the State BJP government responsible for the Supreme Court order to release 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from September 12.
The protesters alleged that the State government has succumbed to pressure from Ms. Jayalalithaa and has failed to safeguard the interests of the farmers here. Members of Janata Dal(S), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other organisations also burnt effigies of Ms. Jayalalitha at Maddur, Pandavapura, Srirangapatna K.R. Pet, Nagamangala, Gejjalagere and Malavalli.
Intervention sought
Meanwhile, the Janata Dal(S) sought the intervention of Union Ministers from Karnataka in the issue.
Speaking to mediapersons, Mandya district Janata Dal(S) president D. Ramesh said: “S.M. Krishna, Veerappa Moily, Muniyappa and Mallikarjun Kharge should safeguard the interests of the State farmers.”
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader K.S. Puttannaiah urged the State government to announce its stand on the issue.
The government should disclose its stand in safeguarding farmers’ interests, Mr. Puttannaiah said.
Vehicular movement on the State Highway remained disrupted on Tuesday as the protesters blocked it at different places.
