Kumaraswamy promises waiver of farm loans from nationalised banks

JD(S) State unit president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said loans taken by farmers from nationalised banks in the State will be waived if his party comes to power in the Assembly elections.

“Such loans will be waived within 24 hours of JD(S) assuming power”, he said at an election rally in Srinivasapur on Tuesday. Loans taken by women self-help groups (SHGs) will also be waived, he added.

Mr. Kumaraswamy charged the Congress and BJP with indulging in mudslinging on the corruption issue. “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Siddaramaiah government is a 10 per cent government, the latter alleges that the Centre is a 90 per cent government”, he said.

Without naming Srinivasapur’s incumbent MLA and Health Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar, the JD(S) leader said Mr. Kumar had supported the menace of corruption. “Mr. Kumar once said in the Assembly that taking bribe is not wrong but it should be done without the knowledge of others”, Mr. Kumaraswamy reminded the audience amid loud jeers.

Mr. Modi failed to provide any solution to the water problem of the State including that of parched Kolar and Chickballapur districts, he said.

He promised he will meet the farmers of every district to know their opinions on the crop pattern in their respective areas as well as to learn their problems.

JD(S) candidate G.K. Venkatashiva Reddy and MLC Chowda Reddy were present.