BJP workers protest in Hassan for bandh

Hassan: As a part of the State-wide bandh called by the BJP to demand the coalition government to waive farm loans, party workers took out a protest rally here on Monday. Though the response to the call was poor, the BJP workers nevertheless went around asking shopkeepers and business owners to close their establishments. Except on certain main streets, most shops remained open and public transport services ran unhindered. Schools and offices also functioned.

BJP MLA in Hassan Preetham Gowda gathered a huge crowd and led a protest in the city. Many people from nearby villages also participated in the protest with bullock carts and tractors. After taking a march on the streets, they went to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and raised slogans against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The party workers accused the CM of not sticking to his word of waiving farm loans within 24 hours of his taking charge. “Kumaraswamy, who earlier held the post of CM with the support of the BJP for 20 months, did not support BJP to hold the post as per the understanding between the two parties. Now, again he has cheated the public on the issue of farm loans,” they said. They also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor.