Party will continue to stand by Bidadi farmers, says K’taka BJP chief Vijayendra
Bengaluru: Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday clarified that there is no confusion within the party over its support for the agitation by farmers opposing the proposed Bidadi Township project, while reiterating that the BJP will continue to stand by farmers.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra said the BJP had announced its support for the farmers’ cause earlier and had also planned to participate in a padayatra in coordination with the JD-S.
“There is no confusion whatsoever regarding the BJP’s support to the Bidadi farmers’ agitation. The BJP has always stood with farmers. We had announced the Bidadi padayatra earlier. We had planned to discuss the date with State JD-S President and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and finalise it,” he added.
Vijayendra clarified his recent conversation with Minister Madhu Bangarappa, saying that attempts were being made in some quarters to create a wrong impression about the discussion.
“I did not have any inappropriate or indirect conversation with Minister Madhu Bangarappa. I spoke to him directly and clearly. I also told him that the BJP had extended symbolic support to the JD-S’ padayatra. I also informed him that some farmers had received compensation and withdrawn from the agitation before our protest,” he said.
Vijayendra stressed that the BJP’s symbolic support to the JD-S-led padayatra should not be interpreted as merely symbolic support for the cause of Bidadi farmers.
“The BJP has extended symbolic support to the padayatra led by the JD-S. But this should not be interpreted to mean that the BJP is extending only symbolic support to the Bidadi farmers’ struggle,” he said.
“However, following the death of Channamma Deve Gowda, the wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the padayatra was postponed,” the State BJP President added.
“I personally informed Kumaraswamy that the padayatra could be held after the funeral and other ceremonies were completed,” Vijayendra said.
Later, JD-S leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy announced the date of the padayatra.
The issue was subsequently discussed at the BJP core committee meeting, where it was decided that the party would extend symbolic support to the programme.
“Accordingly, Leader of the Opposition and veteran BJP leader R. Ashoka participated in the inauguration of the padayatra and extended the BJP’s symbolic support,” Vijayendra said.
He added that he could not personally participate as he already had a pre-scheduled tour programme on the day.
He accused the Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of adopting a contradictory stand on the issue of farmers’ land in Bidadi.
“The Chief Minister is adopting a dual stand on the issue of the farmers’ land in Bidadi. I stand by the statement I made earlier,” Vijayendra said.
He reiterated that the BJP would not compromise on protecting farmers’ land and rights.
“The BJP will always stand with farmers. There will be no compromise when it comes to protecting farmers’ land and their rights,” he added.
The BJP has been opposing the proposed Bidadi Township project and has accused the Congress government of pursuing the project at the cost of farmers’ interests.
The BJP has also backed the farmers’ protests against the proposed land acquisition.