Mundgod: Former Union Minister and Uttara Kannada BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde was at the receiving end of tongue lashing by flood-hit farmers of Chigalli village in Mundgod taluk on Wednesday, who felt he had not responded properly to their pleas regarding their assistance.

The farmers stopped MP Anantkumar's car and blocked him near Mudasalli cross in Mundgod taluk and requested him to visit Chigalli region which was badly affected after the severe damage of Chigalli dam. Reacting to it, MP said that he had to visit the locations which were affected more than Chigalli region and started moving his car. Enraged over the attitude of MP Anantkumar, the farmers came forward and stopped his car and accused him of begging for votes during elections and not responding to the public grievances.

It is said that MP stood as a silent spectator even after the public were seen in extreme outrage. The situation which was at its threshold was calmed down with the help of police and party workers. But unfortunately, MP fled the scene leaving the villagers helpless.

The villagers also blamed MP Anantkumar saying that instead of paying a visit to the collapsed Chigalli dam, returned only after watching the yard, that too standing on Chigalli road giving reasons that he had to rush to inspect Sanavalli reservoir.

As MP Anantkumar noticed the farmers gathering in huge number to protest against him, he fled away from the spot by diverting his route to Mundgod via Salagaun from Chigalli village.