'Don't misguide': Kumaraswamy blunts Congress attack as JDS backs Karnataka BJP's land law

As JDS' support to BJP in Karnataka assembly to pass land reforms bill raised eyebrows, former CM Kumaraswamy dismissed claims that said bill is anti-farmer. In a clarification on Wednesday, he said that BJP government in state h worked on suggestions me by his party on bill and it was only after that y supported bill. Stating that contentious part about bill was section 79(a) and 79(b), Kumaraswamy warned critics against 'misguiding' people and ded that above-mentioned sections have been removed. 

Kumaraswamy said, "Whoever is calling this bill as anti-farmers, I would like to ask m how it is anti-farmers? I would like to ask those farmers association. I would also like to ask those people who branded our party as anti-farmers? How it is anti-farmer? I and Deve Gowda protested against this bill, we demanded m to withdraw bill. In previous assembly session, I h given a few suggestions to government, on my suggestions whatever y(BJP) h changed y h taken back. Yesterday's bill was corrected bill and y have removed removing 79(a) and 79(b). Don't try to misguide people. y h taken my suggestion and changed bill."

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Claiming that new land bill is a 'body blow' to farmers of state, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that it opens 'floodgates' for acquisition of farmers' land by n-agriculturists. Surjewala claimed that passing of legislation proves that BJP favours ' builders' lobby' over interest of farmers. 

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Karnataka's Land Reforms Bill passed

In 75-member Upper House of state legislature, ruling BJP has 31 seats while Congress and JD(S) have 29 and 14 MLCs respectively. Karnataka Land Reforms (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 was tabled in Legislative Council to replace an ordinance that was promulgated owing to failure of state government to get legislation cleared in Monsoon session. While this bill was initially opposed by both Congress and JD(S), HD Dewe Gowda-led party extended support to legislation on Tuesday. Thus, 37 MLCs from BJP and JD(S) voted in favour of bill while Congress' 21 members voted against it.

Amending Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961, aforesaid bill eases restrictions on buying of agricultural land. For instance, Sections 79(A), 79(B) and 79(C) have been repealed removing income limit for purchasing land and allowing n-agriculturists to buy agricultural land. Congress party h opposed bill citing that agricultural land might be used for real estate purposes. support from JDS came days after former CM Kumaraswamy slammed Siddaramaiah and said that he would have continued to be CM if he h chosen BJP inste of Congress.

Kumaraswamy h remarked, " goodwill that I h earned from people of state in 2006-07 (as CM) and which I h maintained for 12 years despite big campaign against me for t transferring power to BJP, everything got destroyed by joining hands with Congress. I might have been Chief Minister till w if I h chosen BJP."

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