Karnataka Farmers and Activists Oppose Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Proposals

Karnataka farmers and wildlife activists are against Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s plans to reopen night traffic through the Bandipur reserve forest on the Kerala–Karnataka border. They are also concerned about her proposal for a railway line linking Kerala with Nanjangud in Karnataka.
Protesters gathered on the Mysuru–Chamarajanagar highway to demonstrate their disapproval, blocking the road near the Marigala bridge and causing a significant traffic disruption. They criticized Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for allegedly disregarding the potential environmental and wildlife impacts of her announcements.
Bhagyaraj, State President of the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association, highlighted that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had announced the reopening of night traffic through the Bandipur reserve forest during her Kerala election campaign. He also mentioned her pledge to construct a railway line from Nanjangud in Mysuru district to Nilambur in Kerala, with purported support from Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari.
Expressing their opposition, Bhagyaraj emphasized the importance of preserving wildlife and forests in Karnataka, asserting that such projects should not compromise these vital resources. He criticized Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre for his silence on the matter and accused him of being subservient to the Gandhi family, rather than prioritizing the interests of the state and its people.
The farmers and activists stressed that the Bandipur and Nagarhole reserve forest areas are public assets and not the personal property of any individual or family. They warned against any actions that could harm Karnataka’s natural heritage, emphasizing that decisions affecting the region would have far-reaching consequences for both the state and the country.