BJP blames center for fertiliser shortage in Karnataka

Bangalore, Jun 27: The UPA Government should be blamed for the present crisis arising out of shortage in supply of Fertilisers across the country including in Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party Vice President Venkaiah Naidu charged.

Addressing presspersons here he said that the failure on the part of Union government in the timely announcement of policy on fertiliser prices and transportation had led to the crisis in all the states. He said that the shortage of fertilisers for which Farmers were on agitation in the state was not only confined to Karnataka and it persistsed in almost all the states including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He said that there was a shortage of over 60 per cent of fertiliser in Congress-ruled Maharashtra, while police opened fire on agitating farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

Blaming that the Center should own responsibility for the shortage, Mr Naidu suggested Congress leaders in Karantaka to stage dharna in front of the residences of party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He also defended Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's threat to hold such a protest in New Delhi on the issue.

Accusing that Congress leaders in Karnataka had resorted to 'cheap tricks' in their bid to 'pin-down' BJP government, which came to power only recently, he said, "If Congress leaders have any real concern for farming community they should bring pressure on Union government."

UNI