BJP, JD(S) members stage dharna in Assembly

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed acrimonious scenes when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) members rushed into the well of House demanding the state government to release the arrested farmers immediately.

As soon as the House assembled on Monday morning, Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar demanded the government to release the farmers arrested on Sunday evening and Monday morning near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Belagavi.

Jagadish Shettar said the police have arrested farmers at Mandya, Mysuru and other places when they were coming to Belgaum to stage a protest in support of their long-pending demands. “The farmers wanted the government to make arrangements for the payment of sugarcane arrears. The government is behaving like Tughlaq government,” Shettar said. He said the farmers were not anti-social elements or goondas and the government’s action deserves condemnation. “We want the government to release the arrested farmers immediately,’’ he said.

At this juncture, JD(S) leader Y S V Datta supported Shettar’s demand and JD(S) members trooped into the well of House.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tried to speak but the agitating members did not allow him to speak. “I have already ordered the police to release the farmers from their custody. I told the police at 9 am today. Now, the BJP and the JD(S) members have raised the issue just for publicity,” the chief minister said. He said the state government has been working for the welfare of farmers. “The police have taken farmers into preventive custody since prohibitory orders were in force around Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. The government has no intention to send the farmers to prison. The police have not registered a case against them,” he said.

He said the agitating members have to facilitate smooth functioning of the House since the police were instructed to released the farmers. With this, the BJP and the JD(S) members withdrew their agitation thus facilitating smooth functioning of the Assembly.