JD(S) takes out bike rally in protest against milk price, bus fare hike

​Several hundreds Janata Dal (Secular) activists and supporters of Gurmitkal MLA Sharanagouda Kandkur took out a motorcycle rally in Yadgir on Thursday to protest against the State government decision to hike the prices of milk, curd and also, bus fares.

​Led by Janata Dal(S) district unit president Subhashchandra Katakati, the former Zilla Panchayat member Laxman Reddy Anpur and the former CMC Chairman Nagaratna Anpur, the protesters commenced their rally from the new bus terminus.

After passing through Basaveshwar Ganj Circle, Chakrakatta, Gandhi Chowk, Kanaka Chowk, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chowk and Lal Bahadur Shastri Chowk, the rally culminated at Subhas Chandra Bose Chowk where the protesters raised slogans against the State government and staged their protest for an hour.

​Addressing the gathering, the party leaders said that the State is reeling under severe drought following a prolonged dry spell and rainfall deficit, leaving farmers with heavy crop losses.

While the general public is already grappling with drinking water shortage and a lack of basic infrastructure, the State government has recklessly increased the prices of essential commodities and public transportation, dealing a direct blow to farmers and the common man, they said.

“The Janata Dal(S) demands that the State government immediately roll back the increase in the prices of milk, curd and bus fares to ensure affordability for daily commuters and households,” Mr. Katakati said.

​Targeting Home Minister Priyank Kharge over his recent remark referring to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy as a village idiot, Mr. Katakati said that Mr. Kharge has insulted the very rural electorate that elected his father from the Gurmitkal Assembly Constituency in the past.

“People will teach an appropriate lesson to Mr. Kharge at the right time,” he added.

Party activists wore T-shirts printed with the slogan: Yes, we are village idiots! So what?, in response to the Minister’s remark.

​Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Nagaratna Anpur said, “We are farmers from villages, unlike those born and brought up in cities who look down upon rural people.”

​The protesters later submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary to the State government through the Deputy Commissioner’s office.