Farmers feel let down

Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah disappointed the farmers in Mandya, and sericulture growers and handicraftsmen in Channapatna on Saturday by not holding a detailed interaction citing lack of time.

The BJP chief had planned to interact with the farmers at Sir M. Visvesvaraya District Stadium at 12.10 p.m. Nevertheless, it was 3.05 p.m. when Mr. Shah arrived at the stadium. A good number of the seats were empty by then.

Singing of farmers’ song or Raitha Geethe was cancelled, and Mr. Shah restricted his brief address to criticise the Congress government for the agrarian crisis. The BJP will form the next government and solve farmers’ issues by implementing Israeli technology in agricultural sector, he said.

Puja at temple

The BJP chief offered puja at Sri Cheluva Narayana Swamy temple at Melkote near Pandavapura. Devotees had to miss the sacred ‘theertha snana’, which is held after the traditional part of ‘Sri Vairamudi Kireetadharana Mahotsava’, as entry to the visitors was restricted during his visit.

Mr. Shah visited the Craft Park for toy makers at Channapatna, but cancelled the interaction with stakeholders of the traditional lacquerware toys and doll-making industry, which has been facing a series of problems because of demonetisation and GST.