The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to capitalise on “rural anguish” — a result of farmers’ suicides and drought — by embarking upon Raitha Chaitanya Yatre, a tour of rural areas to “instil confidence” among farmers.
The yatre, which was flagged off in Haveri on August 31, is being taken out under two teams headed by party national vice-president B.S. Yeddyurappa and State president Pralhad Joshi. The party leaders are addressing 25 conventions before the yatre culminates in Mysuru on September 13.
With this, the battle between the BJP and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has continued as the party leaders have launched an attack on him for the alleged failure of his government to respond to the agrarian crisis, which is triggering farmers’ suicides.
They are also targeting the government over the alleged delay in implementing drought relief measures.
During the tour, BJP leaders are mainly demanding waiver of farm loans up to Rs. 2 lakh and immediate payment of compensation to families of farmers who committed suicide.
Caught off-guard
Though the yatre was announced nearly a month ago, the ruling Congress appears to have been caught off-guard as its prominent leaders are busy focussing on forging an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) to gain control of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike council.
A day after the BJP launched its yatre, the Chief Minister held a marathon meeting of the deputy commissioners of districts and chief executive officers of zilla panchayats, in Bengaluru, to review the drought situation and the issue of farmers’ suicides.
After the review meeting, the Chief Minister launched a counter-attack on the BJP and charged the NDA government at the Centre with failure to come to the rescue of the State at the time of distress.