Several protesters, including Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party president BY Vijayendra, were detained on Tuesday as they, along with a large number of farmers, marched towards the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha to protest what they called the Congress government’s "anti-farmer policies". A massive crowd had gathered at the Malini City Grounds, led by Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly; R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council; Chalavadhi Narayanaswamy; and several MLAs, MLCs, and senior party leaders.
The protest coincides with the 10-day winter session of the Karnataka Legislature, which began on December 8 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Amid heavy police deployment, the BJP leaders and farmers started their march from the grounds toward the Soudha before being detained by police and transported away in police vans. Protesters chanted slogans accusing the ruling Congress of "ignoring the problems faced by farmers."
Party leaders stated the agitation was intended to highlight what they termed the government’s failures across critical state issues. Earlier in the day, Vijayendra claimed that "policy paralysis" stemming from internal conflicts within the ruling Congress was preventing the Siddaramaiah-led administration from effectively addressing farmers’ concerns. “There is absolutely no development in Karnataka. Because of infighting and the race for the chief minister’s chair, the administration has completely collapsed. So today we organised a massive protest against this government. Our demand is that the Siddaramaiah government address all issues pertaining to farmers," he told the media.
He also criticised the Chief Minister for "conveniently" reminding the BJP and the central government of their duties while allegedly overlooking the state government’s own responsibilities. “Fixing the FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price) is the Centre’s responsibility, but nothing stops the state from announcing a price above the FRP. Karnataka, the third-largest sugarcane producer, earns more than $35,000$ crore in revenue every year. But when farmers were protesting, the government decided to give only ₹50 per tonne," he asserted. He added that the demands of maize growers have also allegedly gone unmet.
On November 6, amid intensifying farmer agitation in North Karnataka demanding ₹3,500 per tonne for sugarcane, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had clarified that the FRP is determined by the central government, not the state. Narayanaswamy echoed the criticism, accusing the government of neglecting farmers. "They have completely forgotten farmers’ issues. Lakhs of hectares of crops have been lost. Though compensation has been announced, not a single rupee has been disbursed. Farmers are now struggling for their lives. We want to support them," he said.
Addressing the Congress’s stance that the Centre sets the FRP and that BJP leaders should direct their questions to the union government, Narayanaswamy responded, "We are not in power. People have given you (the Congress) the mandate. It is your duty to approach the Centre. Merely writing a letter from Bengaluru will not get you results." He continued, "You should personally go there, take Opposition leaders, MPs and MLAs into confidence— only then can anything be achieved. If you want to question others, resign first and then question.
"The BJP further alleged that the state has failed to open procurement centers demanded by maize growers, forcing them to sell their harvest to middlemen at low, uncompetitive prices.
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