Several like-minded progressive organisations would take up the task of sensitising the people regarding the need for developing alternative politics to achieve the real aims and objectives of the Constitution before the next Assembly and parliamentary elections, Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) founder-president S.R. Hiremath has said.
Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Hiremath said that the recently concluded thirst State-level conference of Jan Sangram Parishat has resolved to carry out this campaign under the aegis of Janandonagala Maha Maitri, a congregation of like-minded progressive organisations. The campaign would target both the Congress government in the State and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance Government at the Centre as both have failed to keep their pre-poll assurances.
A two-day workshop to finalise the future course of action would be held at Ranebennur from October 10, he said.
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Both the Congress and the BJP appear to be the two sides of the same coin when it comes to the interests of the common people and the downtrodden communities. Both of these major political parties are treading the same path in matters of economic policy, agriculture, environment, corruption and other related issues, he said.
The Congress government in the State has failed to keep its pre-poll assurance of initiating action against those involved in illegal mining. The government has behaved like a trusted agent of the mining barons, leave alone taking action against the offending miners. The Union Government is no different. It has not kept its words of fighting corruption and bringing back black money stashed in foreign banks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to turn his words into actions, he said.
The campaign by Janandonagala Maha Maitri would also focus on the agrarian crisis and sustainable development that was very much required considering the future of the coming generations. It was not that there are not solutions, but what “we lack is governance and elected representatives with political will” to address these issues. Strengthening democracy is a long-time effort and demands dedicated labour. Janandonagala Maha Maitri’s campaign is a humble endeavour in this direction, he added.
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Heritage site
The recent conference in Davangere has resolved to urge the government to declare the hill with Sri Kumaraswamy temple in Sandur taluk of Ballari district as heritage site and take steps to preserve and conserve the bio-diversity in that region. The State government should not allow mining in this region. The State government should immediately carry out a survey of settlement in 14 villages of Sandur taluk. The State government should revoke the unscientific sand policy that was providing scope for illegal sand mining, he said.