‘Government that will listen for Deve Gowda will soon come to power at Centre’

Shivamogga, Mar 4: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday exuded confidence of the country electing a government at the Centre that would heed former Prime Minister and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda’s counsel. “When this happens, we will find a solution to the problems of farmers, who, under the Forest Act, are staring at the prospect of eviction,” said Kumaraswamy.

The CM, who laid the foundation stone for the new Vokkaliga Auditorium in Theerthahalli in Shivamogga, reiterated his belief that the JD(S)-Congress government would complete its five-year term. In a thinly veiled reference to the BJP’s attempts to topple the coalition government, Kumaraswamy said, “Some people are setting deadlines for the fall of the government. But my government is as steady as a rock. The atmosphere in the country has changed, and I pray to Goddess Sharadamba (the presiding deity in Sringeri) that the mood remains unchanged. With the grace of the Sringeri seer, and Goddess Sharadamba, my government will stay stable. My objective is to empower farmers.”

Pointing out that execution of projects was an onerous task, Kumaraswamy said, “Nothing can be achieved overnight. As on February 26, the government has credited Rs 4,130 crore into the accounts of 10.4 lakh farmers.”

Clarifying his government’s stance on the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the Forest Rights Act, Kumaraswamy assured the farming community that he would allow a single farmer to be displaced from his or her plot. “This is a problem that the farmers in forest-rich districts of the state. I will try to find a solution. The central government must not evict farmers from forest land. In fact, if the forest dwellers were entrusted with protecting the jungle, they would do a better job that the forest department,” Kumaraswamy said.

However, in the same vein, the CM, referring to the recent fire in the Bandipur reserve, said that protection of forests was key to ensuring supply of water.