BJP OBCs Morcha plans to stage protest in Kalaburagi on March 16

Stating that there is administrative failure, financial mismanagement and breakdown in law and order in the district, the Morcha of the BJP OBCs will organize a massive protest in Kalaburagi on March 16.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, BJP OBC’s Morcha State Secretary Avvanna Myakeri said party workers will lay siege to the Deputy Commissioner’s office under the banner “Priyank Kharge Hatao, Kalaburagi Bachao” in a bid to remove district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge.

Mr Myakeri said law and order had “completely broken down” in the area, citing incidents of murder, serious assault and crime against women.

He said that public order has collapsed in the district due to the increase in illegal activities such as sand mining, drug dealing and gambling.

Illegal sand mining alone has resulted in losses of around Rs 2,500 crore to the Ministry of Finance, he said, adding that no stringent action has been taken against those responsible.

Accusing the state government of neglecting development works, Mr. Myakeri said that no Karnataka Development Program (KDP) meeting was held in the district in the last two years. Citing the Kalyana Karnataka District Development Board (KKRDB), he said that of the ₹ 5,000 crore allocated for 2025-26, only ₹ 862 crore has been received for planning, while ₹ 4,138 crore remains unused and is at risk of being lost.

He demanded that the entire allocation be utilized by KKRDB and urged the State government to provide a similar grant for the financial year 2026-27.

Highlighting the agricultural distress, Mr Myakeri said heavy rains damaged crops in around 7.06 lakh hectares. However, compensation was provided at ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 per acre for only 3.24 lakh hectares.

He said 2.67 lakh farmers have paid ₹36.34 crore towards crop insurance premium for 2025-26 but the compensation has not been paid.

The Morcha has demanded immediate payment of pending crop insurance claims and ₹307 crore as compensation for red gram crop loss due to wilt disease in the kharif season 2024-25.

Expressing concern over the functioning of the district administration, he said non-payment of land acquisition compensation led to the seizure of the Deputy Commissioner’s official vehicle and office furniture, affecting public services.

The Morcha warned that it would intensify its agitation if the Congress government did not respond to its demands.