The government has been liberal in sanctioning funds for projects in iron ore-rich Bellary.
In just hours, foundation for five projects worth totally Rs 1,306.41 crore were laid by the BJP leaders on Friday. The first in the list was controversial greenfield airport project. Scores of farmers had been opposing their land acquisition for the project.
To prove a point that all is well, the Reddys made two farmer couples perform the bhoomi pooja for the project. To rub the point in, the Reddys brought the farmers from Chaganur and Sirivara, where the rebellion against the airport is the strongest.
Farmer couples Kurubara Ramesh and Meenakshi and Rudrappa and Parvathamma performed the pooja in the presence of Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, the Reddys, Janardhana, Karunakara and Somashekhara and Ministers of the State Cabinet.
Published 20 August 2010, 18:08 IST