BENGALURU: Farmers agitating for the implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project picketed the Vidhana Soudha on Sunday.
The farmers squatted at the entrance of the Vidhana Soudha and raised slogans seeking an immediate solution to the drinking water problem of the people of three districts in northern Karnataka.
Police, who had instructions to be lenient with the farmers, had a tough time preventing them from entering the Vidhana Soudha premises, where the chief minister was holding an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
Several leaders, including Siddaramaiah, Irrigation Minister M B Patil, and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil, had to take a detour to avoid the protestors, and made it to the meeting through the East Gate facing the High Court. However, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda, who chose to enter through the West Gate, had an animated argument with B D Hiremath, who was leading the dharna, before going into the Vidhana Soudha.
Police were present in large numbers to prevent any untoward incident.
Hiremath told newspersons that they would continue the dharna in the three districts till their demands are met.