Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy has urged Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to prioritise the problems faced by farmers, particularly sugarcane growers, instead of engaging in political criticism and mutual accusations.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Saturday, Chaluvarayaswamy said political differences were natural but should not divert attention from pressing issues affecting people’s livelihoods. He stressed that farmers’ concerns deserved priority at a time when the agricultural sector was grappling with debt, crop losses, rising input costs and uncertainty over income.
Pointing to Kumaraswamy’s experience as a former chief minister and his present position in the Union government, Chaluvarayaswamy said he should use his political influence to address farmers’ grievances. He called on the Union minister to take up the demands of Karnataka’s sugarcane growers with the Centre and push for fair prices, settlement of pending dues and appropriate relief measures.
He said effective leadership required raising farmers’ concerns before the relevant authorities and securing concrete action to ease their difficulties. Personal attacks and political exchanges, he added, would not resolve the challenges confronting the farming community.
Chaluvarayaswamy also objected to criticism of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s personality, saying people already had their own understanding of the chief minister’s political career, administration and character. He urged Kumaraswamy to avoid turning such issues into political ammunition and instead concentrate on problems affecting the public.
Reiterating his appeal, the minister said political differences should not come in the way of addressing farmers’ concerns. He called for sustained efforts to ensure remunerative prices for sugarcane, clear outstanding payments and provide the necessary support to growers across Karnataka.