Shivamogga: TN Srinivas, convener of the Malenadu Raitha Horata Samiti, has strongly criticised chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar ahead of their scheduled visit to Shivamogga on June 1. He questioned the purpose of their visit given their failure to resolve local issues that have long plagued the region.
Speaking to the media, Srinivas slammed the state government's apathy towards victims of the Sharavathi dam project rehabilitation. He alleged that despite repeated assurances, neither the chief minister nor the deputy chief minister has held a single meeting on the issue. “The government has been sleeping after merely filing an affidavit in court regarding the distribution of title deeds (hakku patra),” he charged.
Srinivas warned that if the problems faced by Malnad farmers are not addressed before June 1, the community will boycott the CM's official programme at Allama Bayalu in Shivamogga city. The CM is scheduled to inaugurate a KPS school during the visit.
Allegations of political bias
Srinivas further alleged political bias, claiming that the CM had convened separate forest department meetings twice to alter the boundaries of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary solely to protect properties belonging to certain politicians on BH Road in Shivamogga. “However, since taking office, the CM has not held even a single meeting to address the grievances of ordinary citizens,” he said. He also raised concerns over the proposed nuclear power plant in the region.
No protest, only boycott
When asked whether farmers would stage protests during the CM and DCM’s visit, Srinivas claimed that police are sent to his house in advance whenever protests are announced. “They don’t let us live in peace,” he said.
“During the tenures of former chief ministers Gundu Rao and JH Patel, if we planned a protest, leaders would invite us for talks and try to understand our concerns. That courtesy no longer exists. Therefore, we are not protesting—we are strictly boycotting the event,” he added.
