Oppn to nail Govt on Farmers' issue in Karnataka

Bangalore, Jun 22: In the backdrop of police firing on agitating farmers that claimed one life and acute scarcity of fertilizers , the opposition parties in Karnataka will train their guns on the BJP government, which took reins on its own for the first time in South India, during the four-day joint session that begins on Monday, June 23.

The spate of suicides by the farmers that has seen seven people take their lives during the last one week will be the other major issue that is expected to take the two houses by storm. Congress and the Janata Dal (S) would raise the three interconnected issues that has put the state in a virtual cauldron with farmers taking to streets and indulge in violent protests in many parts of the state.

On June 10, the situation turned worse when police opened fire on the agitating farmers in Haveri town that resulted in killing a farmer in police firing and five others sustaining bullet injuries.

The Special Session of the 13th Assembly held for four days from June 3, was adjourned for tomorrow after Governor Rameshwar Thakur addressed the joint session of both the houses and Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa won the trust by voice vote.

In its second sitting from tomorrow, the Assembly would adopt the motion of thanks giving to Governor.

Congress has already stated that it would rise the issue of the BJP Government's failure in handling the issue of shortage of fertilizers and the farmers agitation. The two opposition parties, being the 'bitter' foes of the BJP, are on their toes to put the government on the mat over the recent incidents.

The BJP government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the Haveri incident after initially refusing to heed to the opposition demand on the issue. However this is not likely to have any effect on the opposition which is bent on 'exposing' the BJP government containing the incidences of farmers suicide, shortage of fertilizers and seeds for farming activities in the wake of early onset of South-West monsoon over the state.

The opposition parties are also likely to rise the issue of the incident of the suicide by Udupi BJP legislator's wife Padmapriya in New Delhi. The opposition parties have demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident which has been rejected by the state government.

Karnataka Legislative Council, the upper house will also meet from Monday and adopt a thanks giving motion on Governor's address.

The ruling BJP which is a minority in the Council is likely to face a barrage from opposition members during the session.

Both the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the house will become vacant as the incumbents Prof B K Chandrashekhar and Satchidanand Khot would retire by this month end.

UNI