The Hindu : Karnataka News : Ravindranath’s statements provoke ire

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Karnataka

Ravindranath’s statements provoke ire

Staff Correspondent

Chitradurga: Several organisations led by the Chitradurga Neeravari Horata Samiti staged a protest here on Friday and burned an effigy of Agriculture Minister S.A. Ravindranath.

The Minister has come in for sharp criticism for allegedly opposing the implementation of the Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project. The protesters gathered at Mahatma Gandhi Circle and chanted slogans against Mr. Ravindranath for his alleged remarks.

They formed a human chain at the circle and blocked traffic for over half an hour. In a recent visit to the Bhadra river to offer “Bagina”, the Minister allegedly raised doubts about the implementation of the project and made certain remarks that were not appreciated by several groups.

Addressing the protesters, samiti president M. Jayanna alleged that for long, Mr. Ravindranath, who is also Davangere district in-charge Minister, had been issuing statements against the project and the interests of the people of Chitradurga. “For over a decade, the samiti has been fighting to get the project going, which will help resolve the irrigation problems of drought-prone Chitradurga.

But Mr. Ravindranath has been opposing it by offering unreasonable excuses.”

When Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Irrigation Minister Basavaraj Bommai had already promised to ensure early implementation of the project, why was Mr. Ravindranath opposed to it, he asked. He demanded that Mr. Yeddyurappa drop Mr. Ravindrananth from the Cabinet.

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