Thanjavur: Condemning the anti-farmer remarks made by the Tamil Nadu Minister for environment, KC Karuppannan, the farmers in the delta region have demanded that the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa dismiss him immediately. They have also asked the Minister to tender an unconditional apology to the farming community.

At the inaugural function of a commercial loan mela at the Central Cooperative Bank in Erode yesterday, Minister Karuppannan had reportedly said that no farmer in Tamil Nadu is living in poverty. Some vested interests who do not own even a cent of land are organizing various agitations, pretending to be farmers, demanding Cauvery water for irrigation, he said. The Minister also said that the vested interests were actually millionaires who were engaged in finance business.

The farmers in the delta region have now raised a banner of revolt against the Minister for his remarks.

“By terming all farmers as millionaires, Minister Karuppannan has humiliated the farmers who are actually living in poverty. His remarks are unwarranted and highly condemnable,” said R. Sugumaran, the state vice-president of Thamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam.

Sugumaran said, it appears as if the Minister had made these remarks after taking a bribe from the Karnataka government. His remarks have now hurt the entire farming community. The Minister should immediately tender apology to the farmers, Sugumaran said.

By making anti-farmer remarks, the Minister has acted in a manner that brings disrepute to the government headed by Jayalalithaa. Therefore, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should take action against Karuppannan and dismiss him for his anti-farmer remarks, Sugumaran said.

Sugumaran also warned that the farmers would organise various agitations if the Minister did not apologise to the farming community.