BJP alleges unseen political hand behind farmers' violence

New Delhi, Jun 11 (UNI) Taking note of the farmers' unrest caused by the non-supply of fertilisers in Karnataka, the BJP today said the violence in northern parts of the state indicated an unseen political hand behind the violence.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, while talking to newspersons about a meeting of BJP Kisan Morcha office bearers here, said farmers of Karnataka were known for their peaceful ways of protests but the way they were agitating this time showed that some political hands were behind their action.

He said the way the Opposition Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) parties behaved on the opening day of the Karnataka Assembly, when the first ever BJP government showed its majority on the floor of the House, showed that there was something fishy.

''The Congress also staged a walkout while the JD(S) held a dharna; not even extending customary good wishes to the new government. The fact is that the Congress was not able to digest it that they had to make way for a BJP government in the south of Vindhyas,'' he said.

The BJP leader asked the Centre to take the blame for not initiating any adequate steps and ensuring supply of fertilisers to enable the farmers to start sowing and other agricultural operation during the six-month-long President's Rule in Karnataka. He also said the Centre, which has the responsibility of ensuring supplies did nothing to acquit itself honourably.

"The Centre should take the responsibilty directly. Farmers are weeping and the government is sleeping", he remarked, referring to the violence in north Karnataka region which even claimed the life of a farmer yesterday.

Mr Naidu further said the fertiliser shortage was not limited to Karnataka but the Congress-ruled states and the farmers' agitation showed how ill-prepared the Centre was towards ensuring the fertiliser supply.

Meanwhile, sources in the Karnataka Government said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would be in Delhi this evening to pressurise the Centre for fertiliser supply so that the farmers in the state will not miss out a season.

UNI MCN/KAS PY GC1756