The BJP in Kalaburagi district held protests on Tuesday, demanding that the government allow the Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power Unit in Chincholi to restart operations, coinciding with the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav celebrations marking the anniversary of the region’s liberation from the Hyderabad Nizam.
As per media report, the sugar plant, owned by BJP Vijayapura MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, was shut down due to non-compliance with environmental regulations and violations of the conditions set by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.
Following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s flag hoisting and speech at the District Armed Reserve (DAR) Police Ground, BJP leaders, including Chincholi MLA Avinash Jadhav, Kalaburagi Rural MLA Basavaraj Mattimadu, MLC Shashil Namoshi, and other prominent figures, staged a demonstration with activists and farmers at the Public Garden. They called for the government to permit the plant to resume sugarcane crushing.
Some BJP leaders indicated that the protest was strategically planned for Kalyana Karnataka Utsav Day to draw Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s attention to the matter.
In Chincholi, BJP activists and farmers attempted to hold a procession and demonstrate for the same cause. However, police detained them at the taluk administrative complex and organized discussions with officials from the Pollution Control Board and Revenue Department.
As per media report, Pollution Control Board officials Shivaraj, Rakesh, and Sudharani sought to explain to BJP leaders Vijayakumar Cheganti, K.M. Bari, Sreemanth Kattimani, and Chitrashekhar Patil, along with farmer leaders Nandkumar Patil, Janardhan Kulkarni, and Suryakanth Huli, the reasons behind the closure notice. Despite their efforts, some agitated members attempted to leave the meeting, but police prevented them from exiting the complex.
BJP leaders later claimed that the activists and leaders were held inside the complex under the guise of discussion to avoid further protests.
Police also stopped farmers at various locations, including Mahagaon Cross, Ashok Nagar, Edga Cross, Kodli Cross, and Kamalapur, to prevent them from reaching Kalaburagi, where the Chief Minister was participating in the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav.
“We wanted to meet the Chief Minister to discuss many challenges facing local farmers. However, the police stopped us, and the district administration used force to prevent our meeting,” one farmer stated.
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