Vijayendra accuses Karnataka CM of evading responsibility towards sugarcane growers, demands support price

Bengaluru, Oct 25 : BJP Karnataka president B Y Vijayendra on Sunday accused Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of shirking the state government's responsibility towards sugarcane growers and demanded that Karnataka announce a support price for the crop.

Accusing the Chief Minister of politicising the issue, Vijayendra alleged that Shivakumar, after meeting sugarcane growers, was attempting to shift the responsibility for addressing their demands to the Union government, despite the state government earning substantial revenue from the sugar industry.

"Thousands of crores of rupees in revenue accrue to the state government through the efforts of sugarcane growers," he said, asserting that the government could not distance itself from the farmers' demands.

Pointing out that Haryana and Bihar were providing support prices to sugarcane growers, Vijayendra questioned why Karnataka could not extend similar assistance to its farmers.

He said the Narendra Modi-led Union government had encouraged value addition through initiatives such as ethanol production, contributing to increased revenues. However, he alleged that the state government was failing to protect the interests of sugarcane growers.

Vijayendra urged Shivakumar to stop politicising the issue and take responsibility for resolving the farmers' concerns.

In a separate attack, the BJP leader alleged that Karnataka's financial position was precarious and claimed that the state treasury was virtually empty.

Referring to drought relief measures, he alleged that although the government had announced assistance of Rs 2,500 for each farmer's family, the amount had not been disbursed.

He also accused the state government of cancelling Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards under the pretext of implementing its guarantee schemes.

Commenting on the proposed route march in his constituency, Vijayendra said he would participate in the programme and maintained that such marches had not led to communal clashes or law-and-order disturbances.

He advised Minister Priyank Kharge to concentrate on his departmental responsibilities and address issues relating to law and order and atrocities against Dalits instead of targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

On the alleged sting operation involving former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Vijayendra demanded a transparent investigation. He alleged that the Chief Minister had failed to take the matter seriously despite Siddaramaiah claiming that a conspiracy had been hatched against him.