India
As the Karnataka government broke its promise on farm loan waivers mentioned by chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on waiving farm loans in 24 hours as soon as he takes the oath, Karnataka farmers especially in drought-hit districts of North Karnataka, accused HD Kumaraswamy, calling him an anti-farmer for coming up with lame excuses.
Calling HD Kumaraswamy as an anti-farmer for ignoring the plight of farmers of North Karnataka and coming up with conditional farm loan waiver ideas, farmers from Hubballi-Dharwad area are contemplating a 'Delhi March' to garner Prime Minister Modi's attention.
AP Gurikar, farmer leader from Hubballi-Dharwad circle says, the court should intervene, and the election commission should question the government that has come to power by using these cheap slogans.
"HD Deve Gowda questions the death of farmers who commit suicide due to debts. CM HD Kumaraswamy who calls himself as the son of the soil is setting conditions on farm loan waiver now. He announced Rs 50,000 waivers on farm loans and later there were reports of Rs 2 lakh waivers, but nothing seems to be happening. He is anti-farmer." said.
He further added that the coalition government which has come to power through hollow promises will continue to cheat farmers
Echoing similar sentiments, Eshwarappa Unkal a farmer from Kamplikoppa in Hubbali criticised the government's attitude of ignoring drought-hit regions, he says, the delegation will go to Delhi and if both governments fail in implementing farm loan waiver, they will work against such governments. "We will come up with candidates to corner such a government," he said.
The Karnataka BJP unit which has been critical from the beginning of the coalition government and its style of functioning says that HD Kumaraswamy did not analyse the financial situation and failed to keep the central government in the loop and is trying to shift blame on the BJP.
"They just made hollow promises. Kumaraswamy did not bother about the state's crumbling financial status. He did not even consult the central government while announcing farm loan waivers. Now, as the anger from farmers section is hitting the coalition hard, he wants to shift the blame on the BJP," said S Prakash, spokesperson, Karnataka BJP.
Both the JD(S) and the Congress were not available for comment.
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