The farmers’ padayatra from Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district to Kanakumbi in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, to press for an early solution to the long-pending issue of the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, passed through Hubballi on Monday.
They were welcomed by representatives of various organisations, including Congress leaders Bangaresh Hiremath, Mahesh Nalwad, Rajashekhar Menasinakai, and Babajan Mudhol.
In the public meeting held at Nagashettikoppa, the speakers stressed the need for taking the agitation along non-political lines. A few speakers demanded the resignation of all MPs from Karnataka to prevail upon the Union government to find an early solution to the problem.
State president of the Raitha Sena, Viresh Sobaradmath, castigated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for their failure to address the problems of farmers.
The farmers, accompanied by a troupe of folk artistes, then proceeded to Kittur Chennamma Circle where a demonstration and another public meeting was held, before proceeding to Dharwad.
Several others, including Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, accompanied them in the city.
October 21 deadline
Addressing the public at K.C. Circle, Viresh Sobaradmath said that the farmers had set October 21 as the deadline for the State and Union governments to take concrete steps towards resolving the issue. “If we don’t see any positive development by then, we will intensify the agitation and chalk out a further course of action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, who also took part in the agitation, said that he had already submitted his resignation to Sri Basavalinga Swami of Gavi Mutt, Navalgund. He told farmers that he would be the first to submit his resignation to the Speaker if the people of his constituency wanted him to do so, to exert pressure on the State and Union governments.
