Mysuru: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) state unit president Badagalapura Nagendra on Tuesday warned that farmers will launch protests whenever they encounter elected representatives if govt fails to take immediate steps to address the worsening drought situation in the state.Speaking to reporters, Nagendra alleged that both the ruling and opposition parties had failed to address the plight of farmers and were instead preoccupied with political developments. “Farmers are facing an unprecedented drought and are being pushed to the brink of distress. The govt must come to their rescue immediately, or face widespread protests,” he said.He said the farmer organisation would hold a meeting on Wednesday to chalk out its future course of action, including protests against political representatives.Nagendra demanded that all taluks in the state be declared drought-affected and urged govt to go beyond the existing NDRF and SDRF guidelines and extend assistance to farmers and working people from its own resources. “If there is a shortage of funds, the govt can impose a special tax on the corporate sector. Alternatively, the CM can appeal directly to the public for contributions. People have generously contributed during crisis in the past,” he said.He also urged Karnataka MPs to mount pressure on the Centre for farm loan waiver. Banks, he demanded, should immediately stop issuing recovery notices and allegedly intimidating farmers over repayment of loans.Meanwhile, Nagendra called upon the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to stop acquiring fertile agricultural land in Marase and Madarahalli areas on the outskirts of Mysuru city.
