BIJAPUR: Shivanand Patil, MLA from Basavanabagewadi segment, who is also one of the directors of Jnanayogi Shivakumar Sugars Ltd., on Sunday launched fast-unto-death agitation outside the premises of factory at Hirebevanur village in Indi taluk seeking CoD probe into alleged irregularities in the factory management.

Meanwhile, supporters of MLA called a bandh in Bijapur on Tuesday in support of the agitation much to the headache of authorities who are busy preparing for the hectic schedules of Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister, B.S. Yadiyurappa here on January 16.

Mr. Patil told the presspersons on Sunday that the bandh had been called to draw the attention of VIPs to the irregularities in the factory and in Siddeshwar Sahakari Bank Niyamit of Bijapur. Chairman of the factory Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal was also responsible for mismanagement in the century old bank when the former headed it Mr. Patil alleged and said the bank was now on the verge of liquidation.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding stiff opposition from section of party workers the District Congress Committee president, Sharanappa Sungar called on Mr. Patil to express solidarity with the latter.

Earlier, in a meeting called in Bijapur to discuss the local body election, DCC vice-president, N.S. Allolli, Somanath Bagalkot and Shrishail Patil, presidents of party's Tikota and Babaleshwar block committees respectively questioned the rationale behind Mr. Sunagar's decision to support the agitation spearheaded by Mr. Patil.

They said the factory was not a cooperative one. It is a private sugar mill, and there had been difference between factory directors Yatnal and Patil.

Hence, the party had no role to play. In case of factory closure the farmers would suffer and party had to take blame, they said and argued that Mr. Suganar could visit in his individual capacity.

Mr. Sunagar walked out of the meeting as chaos prevailed. Later he announced that all the three leaders had been suspended from the party on the charges of indiscipline.

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