Ready for a debate on any issue: HDK

Bengaluru: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday challenged the state BJP leaders by saying that he is for a debate on any issue, even as the saffron party leaders threatened to stage a dharna in front of his residence on the land-to-JSW Steel issue.

In a tweet Kumaraswamy said, “BJP’s ongoing day-night protest has come to my notice. I am ready for a debate on any issue. Let them fix the time.”

The BJP’s Karnataka unit, which is on a round-the-clock sit-in since Friday protesting against the sale of land to JSW Steel at Ballari and other issues, has decided to “lay siege” to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s official residence on Sunday.

State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa along with a host of senior party leaders including former deputy chief minister R Ashoka, among others, spend the night at Anand Rao circle, the protest venue, as part of the stir, on Friday.

Continuing the protest for the second consecutive day, Yeddyurappa Saturday said they have decided to “lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence tomorrow.”

“The overnight protest will continue tonight as well, we will be here tonight…” he added.

He said the protest was against government’s “inconsistency” on the issue of farm loan waiver and also its “failure” in managing the drought situation.

The BJP was also opposed to sale of 3,667 acres of land to JSW Steel in Ballari, the leader of the opposition in Karnataka assembly said.

Accusing the ruling Congress-JDS coalition of getting “kickbacks”, for the sale of land, Yeddyurappa said “We are against the sale of land that has rich minerals without any survey being done. We are not against providing facilities to industries or continuation of lease.”

The Karnataka cabinet had recently decided to convert the lease of 3,667 acres to JSW Steel into sale, in accordance with the initial agreement.