Hubballi: State BJP chief B.S. Yeddyurappa claimed on Tuesday that the state government has released 7 tmcft of water to the Jindal steel plant from the Almatti reservoir although it was left with only dead storage.

Speaking to reporters during his tour of drought-hit villages in Gadag district, he said the move had emptied the dam for the first time in the last five decades. Also claiming that funds had been misappropriated in modernisation of the Malaprabha and Ghataprabha canals, he noted that the cost of the project had risen to Rs1,000 crore from Rs 400 crore.

Calling for an investigation, he said the officer, who had opposed the revision of the cost, had been transferred. “Minister M.B. Patil has cheated the farmers by releasing Krishna water to the Jindals when the region is facing acute shortage of drinking water. The shares of the minister, Chief Minister and contractors involved in the modernisation of the Malaprabha and Ghataprabha canals must be investigated, “ he demanded, adding that the BJP would launch a state-wide agitation on the issue. Mr Yeddyurappa had to contend with angry farmers agitating for Mahadayi water as hundreds set tyres on fire and raised slogans even as the police tried to persuade them to withdraw the protest.

The farmers were reportedly angry as the BJP chief has not demanded an early settlement of the dispute and a BJP leader, Kalakappa Bandi ordered a farmer out of the meeting when he tried to approach the BJP chief on the issue.

“BJP leaders have insulted farmers, who have been agitating for nearly two years. We will stage a protest against the lethargic attitude of politicians,” warned farmer Veeresh, who was sent out of the meeting for trying to raise the water dispute.

Later, visiting the agitating farmers in Nargund, Mr Yeddyurappa promised to try and convince the Prime Minister to intervene in the dispute.