HD Kumaraswamy, Dr G to BJP: Why plan padayatra? Ask PM to waive off farm loans

Bengaluru: Terming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s padayatra planned on Friday as politically motivated, Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar have asked BJP leaders to convince the Centre to waive off farmer loan across the state. Reacting to the BJP protest, Mr Kumaraswamy said that in a democracy, everyone has the right to protest and the BJP was free to lead a rally from Ramanagar to Bengaluru city.

“It might help one or two local leaders, let them try and derive mileage from it,” he said. “I am happy to see BJP leaders supporting farmers now. I have waived farm loans and so I am confused if they are taking out the padayatra to support me or are opposing the loan waiver,” he added.

Dr Parameshwar said that Mr Kumaraswamy had already announced the farm loan waiver, which was delayed by a month due to financial management issues. When Dr Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, he had waived Rs 70,000 crore worth farm loans. “Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announce a farm loan waiver now,” he added.