Left, SP, RJD join Gowda against BMIC

Coming on a common platform, the Left parties, JD(U), TDP, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal today supported JD(S)-led “farmers’ movement” against the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project in Karnataka, saying the present land acquisition Act should be scrapped.

CPM general Secretary Prakash Karat said he was aware that thousands of acres of farmers’ land was being acquired by “illegal” means and BJP government of the state is “completely” supporting the project and the company which is implementing it. “We are aware because of this company’s influence, Karnataka government is not taking any action to stop the illegal benefits being provided to this company (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd),” he charged.

He was addressing the farmers from Karnataka who descended on the capital to raise the issue.

A 16-member delegation of Karnataka farmers also met President Partibha Patil and handed over a memorandum. Karat said the land acquisition Act, which was enacted during the Britishers regime was “against the interest of farmers”.

Unless the present land acquisition Act is scrapped and a new law is brought in its place, the “snatching” of farmers’ land will continue across the country,” he said. “We will have to struggle both inside and outside Parliament to put pressure on the government for scrapping of the present land acquisition Act and enactment of a new law in its place,” he added.