The BJP on Thursday held a protest in Bellary demanding that farmers receive ₹25,000 per acre in compensation if water is not released.
A large demonstration was organised in Bellary city, with protestors insisting that the Tungabhadra Achukattu region be supplied water for the second crop or compensated accordingly.
During the agitation, effigies of CM Siddaramaiah, DCM D.K. Shivakumar, and Tungabhadra Irrigation Advisory Committee Chairman Shivaraj Thangadgi were burnt in anger.
BJP leaders reached Chennappa Circle on a bullock cart and formed a human chain, blocking movement. They raised slogans calling for water release or ₹25,000 per acre compensation.
Legislative Council members N. Ravikumar, Y.M. Sathish, and former MLA Somashekar Reddy addressed the gathering, urging the government to “stop the chair-related tussle and focus on farmers’ issues.” They pointed out that maize prices had dropped, and farmers were struggling to cultivate summer paddy due to a lack of water release from the reservoir. “Despite these challenges, the CM and DCM are busy in Delhi. They have ignored farmers’ welfare,” they alleged.
Leaders, including K.A. Ramalingappa, Dr. S.J.V. Mahipal, S. Gurulingana Gowda, Guthiganur Virupaksha Gowda, Ganapal Ainatha Reddy, H. Hanummatappa, Dr. Aruna Kamineni, Gurram Venkataramana, Anil Naidu, and K.S. Diwakar, were present.
Police detained Ravikumar, Anil Naidu, Somashekar Reddy, and others for blocking public movement during the protest. They were released later.