NewsKarnataka – Mangalore

Mangalore: Huge number of supporters of BJP assembled to protest against the proposed ban on arecanut by the Central Government, on Thursday January 2.

The rally started from Ambedkar circle and concluded near DC office, after which the BJP leaders addressed the gathering and discussed the issue of the arecanut farmers and the consequences of the ban.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel who addressed the protestors said  farmers are the backbone of the  nation. He charged the Congress-led UPA government of trying to  trouble the poor farmers through its policies  which in turn has affected their livelihood. He also claimed that only the then Vajpayee-led government  had done a lot for the welfare of farmers in the nation. 

He also warned that the BJP would continue to protest until the proposal was dropped. Making a mockery of CM Siddaramaiah he said it was better to send him home if he cannot help the farmers of the state.

Addressing the protestors, former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said a ban on areca will affect  nearly 25 lakh arecanut farmers and traders   and urged the government to reconsider the proposal.  

Araga Jnanendra, state president of Raitha Morcha also addressed the audience. Leaders Prathap Simha Nayak, Sunil Kumar, Sulochana G K Bhat, Angara, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Monappa Bhandary, Rukmayya Poojary, Nagaraj Shetty, N Yogish Bhat, Krishna J Palemar, Prabhakar Bangera, Mallika Prasad, Koragappa Naik, Rithesh Shetty, Nemiraj Rai, Ganghadhar Gowda, Kumble Sundar Rao and others participated in the protest.