Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday asked the Centre and BJP government in Karnataka to shelve the proposed airport project in Bellary in wake of the farmers’ agitation over the issue.
After visiting Shirva and Jagaanur villages, where the government proposed to acquire 1000 acres of land, Gowda said the district did not require more airports as it has already an airstrip at Jindal steel plant, besides an airport.
He also threatened to stage dharna in front of Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s residence in Bangalore if the government did not drop the project. The Former Minister said he has also requested Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel not to approve the project.
Recently, the police fired in the air and resorted to lathicharge against the farmers who were agitating over the issue.
“For whom is this airport being built,” he asked, apparently targeting Reddy brothers -- Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy, who have reportedly taken the initiative for the project, besides Health Minister B Sreeramulu.
In 2006, Janardhana Reddy had levelled a Rs 150 crore bribery charge against Gowda’s son HD Kumaraswamy when he headed the JDS-BJP coalition government in the state.
{{/usCountry}}In 2006, Janardhana Reddy had levelled a Rs 150 crore bribery charge against Gowda’s son HD Kumaraswamy when he headed the JDS-BJP coalition government in the state.
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