<p class="bodytext">Growers’ problems is a major issue being discussed during campaigning in the district.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Congress – JD(S) coalition candidate C H Vijayshankar has been touring the district and presenting national and regional issues before voters.</p>.<p class="bodytext">BJP candidate Prathap Simha is campaigning in the northern and southern parts and focusing on his achievements – mainly the development of the Mysuru airport, sanction for four-laning of the Mysuru – Madikeri Road, and the Mysuru – Kushalnagar railway line. “The Centre has released grants during the natural calamity in Kodagu,” Simha pointed out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The claims by both have triggered accusations and counter-accusations between them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simha is mostly contend highlighting the achievements of the Centre, while also seeking votes on grounds of national interest. The Congress candidate has been accusing the MP of neglecting Kodagu.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Crop price</p>.<p class="bodytext">The steep fall in prices of major horticultural crops, including pepper and coffee, has been a major political plank of the Congress. The coalition parties have been accusing the Centre of being responsible for the price fall, which is attributed to import and export policies.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vijayshankar is alleging that Simha, who is a member of the Spice Board, had done nothing to stabilise crop price.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He is also seeking information about the status of the railway line sanctioned to Kodagu.</p>.<p class="bodytext">BJP, with a strong presence in Kodagu, is optimistic about the poll outcome. To retain the bastion, party leaders in the district have sunk their differences and are striving for a BJP victory. Both MLAs are campaigning together.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Star campaigners</p>.<p class="bodytext">Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke at a public campaign in Gonikoppa on March 31. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa is expected to come and campaign for Simha soon.</p>.<p class="bodytext">JD(S) state president Adagaru H Vishwanath and District In-charge H S Mahadevappa have traversed Kodagu one round for campaigns.</p>.<p class="bodytext">State coalition government coordination committee chairperson Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Minister Sa Ra Mahesh and G T Devegowda are expected to campaign in Kodagu.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Minimum support price of little help’</p>.<p>Growers in the district complained that the minimum support price by the Centre for pepper (Rs 500 a kg) was of little help to them. Even after notification, the market prices had not improved, they said. The market price of pepper was Rs 280 to Rs 300 a kg. The condition of coffee growers is no better.</p>.<p>The Congress leaders have been repeatedly raising the issue during their campaigns.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Growers’ problems is a major issue being discussed during campaigning in the district.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Congress – JD(S) coalition candidate C H Vijayshankar has been touring the district and presenting national and regional issues before voters.</p>.<p class="bodytext">BJP candidate Prathap Simha is campaigning in the northern and southern parts and focusing on his achievements – mainly the development of the Mysuru airport, sanction for four-laning of the Mysuru – Madikeri Road, and the Mysuru – Kushalnagar railway line. “The Centre has released grants during the natural calamity in Kodagu,” Simha pointed out.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The claims by both have triggered accusations and counter-accusations between them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Simha is mostly contend highlighting the achievements of the Centre, while also seeking votes on grounds of national interest. The Congress candidate has been accusing the MP of neglecting Kodagu.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Crop price</p>.<p class="bodytext">The steep fall in prices of major horticultural crops, including pepper and coffee, has been a major political plank of the Congress. The coalition parties have been accusing the Centre of being responsible for the price fall, which is attributed to import and export policies.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vijayshankar is alleging that Simha, who is a member of the Spice Board, had done nothing to stabilise crop price.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He is also seeking information about the status of the railway line sanctioned to Kodagu.</p>.<p class="bodytext">BJP, with a strong presence in Kodagu, is optimistic about the poll outcome. To retain the bastion, party leaders in the district have sunk their differences and are striving for a BJP victory. Both MLAs are campaigning together.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Star campaigners</p>.<p class="bodytext">Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke at a public campaign in Gonikoppa on March 31. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa is expected to come and campaign for Simha soon.</p>.<p class="bodytext">JD(S) state president Adagaru H Vishwanath and District In-charge H S Mahadevappa have traversed Kodagu one round for campaigns.</p>.<p class="bodytext">State coalition government coordination committee chairperson Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Minister Sa Ra Mahesh and G T Devegowda are expected to campaign in Kodagu.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Minimum support price of little help’</p>.<p>Growers in the district complained that the minimum support price by the Centre for pepper (Rs 500 a kg) was of little help to them. Even after notification, the market prices had not improved, they said. The market price of pepper was Rs 280 to Rs 300 a kg. The condition of coffee growers is no better.</p>.<p>The Congress leaders have been repeatedly raising the issue during their campaigns.</p>