Mysuru: A raging debate is on in several sections of social media as to whether Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement in response to the agitation by farmers over Mahadayi row, compelled the pro-Kannada outfits to advance the proposed Karnataka bandh date from Jan 27 to 25.

Responding to the agitating farmers’ plea after holding discussion with them, the CM is reported have expressed his stand to media on rescheduling the bandh. Organisations have every right to protest in a democratic set-up and the government does not believe in curbing those rights, CM is reported to have said on the night of January 11.

Critics feel it was a deliberate ploy by the chief minister to foil the proposed Parivarthan rally, planned by the BJP in Mysuru on January 25. Those supporting the CM feel, the change announced by pro-Kannada outfits became inevitable following the change in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tour programme and that the CM had no role to play in it.

Pro-Kannada outfits led by Vatal Nagaraj, now have called for state wide bandh on January 25 and a huge protest on February 4 during PM’s visit to Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, state Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao, while speaking to media in the state capital, expressed his party’s support to the bandh on January 25, squarely blaming the BJP for not finding a solution. B S Yeddyurappa who took the mantle upon himself assuring a solution to the farmers and moved forward like mythological king “Bhagiratha” returned empty handed to leave the farmers high and dry, Rao said. “This move left the farmers enraged and we are supporting their agitation and the proposed Karnataka Bandh on January 25,” Rao added.