BJP will not play politics over sugarcane farmers’ issues: Vijayendra
Bengaluru: State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not indulge in politics over the issues faced by sugarcane farmers, asserting that the party’s support for the ongoing farmers’ agitation is based on humanitarian concern, not political gain.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra criticized the Congress government, stating, “It has been six days since the farmers’ protest began, yet not a single responsible minister has visited them. If we wanted to politicize the matter, we would have joined the protest on the first day itself. We are merely supporting the farmers’ struggle.”
Taking a dig at a Congress MLA who allegedly said that sugarcane growers are not real farmers, Vijayendra called the statement “shameful and insensitive.”
He further added, “When a war is imminent, you don’t begin weapons training at the last moment. The Chief Minister should have convened a meeting with sugar mill owners and farmer leaders well before the crushing season began. Though it’s already late, there’s still time, don’t test the farmers’ patience any further. Don’t just sit idle after writing to the Prime Minister; take concrete action.”
Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister of showing negligence and delay in addressing the crisis. “The situation should not have reached a point where farmers were forced to take to the streets. The protest has now intensified, and instead of taking responsibility, the government is trying to shift the blame onto the Centre,” he said.
Clarifying on pricing mechanisms, Vijayendra pointed out that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is not decided solely by the Prime Minister. “It is determined after consultations with officials and experts from all states. Even if the Centre fixes the FRP, states are free to offer a higher State Advisory Price (SAP). The Chief Minister should approach the issue with humanity,” he urged.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
