Belgaum: “I will not allow bagair hukum cultivators to be evacuated till my last breath”, thundered former chief minister and Shimoga MP BS Yeddyurappa here on Thursday September 26.

Addressing a press conference, he said, “Having fought for the welfare of farmers I have never taken steps that would do injustice to the farming community.”

Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa is involved in opportunistic politics in the name of farmers, he alleged.

Clarifying on the allegations made by Thimmappa recently that the amendment to clause 192 (a) of the Land Revenue Act was made during JD(S)-BJP rule to create problems for bagair hukum cultivators.

Yeddyurappa said the amendment was made not to trouble bagair hukum farmers. He wondered what steps Thimmappa had taken in 2002 when he was the district in-charge minister in the S M Krishna government, he counter questioned.

It is true the amendment was brought for the welfare of farmers in 2006. The decision to amend the Act was taken after discussing the pros and cons. The main reason for the amendment was to curb rampant land encroachments in Bangalore and not to disturb farmers. No additions had been made to the Act, it has been made strict, Yeddyurappa elucidated.