Vijayapura: Members of the Raita Bharata Paksha, comprising local farmers, took out a protest rally demanding the inclusion of Vijayapura district under Article 371(J). As part of the demonstration on Monday, they tied posters of elected representatives to horse carts.Throughout the rally, slogans were raised against the Union govt, state govt, as well as against district ministers, MPs, and MLAs. The protesters accused them of opposing the district’s inclusion under the special reservation provisions of Article 371(J). They submitted a memorandum to the President, Prime Minister, Union home minister, governor, chief minister, and deputy chief minister through the deputy commissioner.Speaking on the occasion, Mallikarjun Kenganal, state president of the Rait Bharat Paksha, blamed the elected representatives of Vijayapura for the district’s exclusion. “Elected representatives in Lok Sabha and assembly are so caught up in selfish political games, resulting in injustice to the district,” he added.Echoing similar sentiments, Mallangouda Patil (Konnur), another party functionary, criticised the silence of the elected representatives. They were silent during the implementation of 371(J). He warned that if they do not rectify their mistakes, the people will teach them a lesson in the future elections.
