Madhu Bangarappa, JD(S) candidate for Shivamogga parliamentary seat has alleged that the BJP was trying to politicise the Pulwama attack and the subsequent airstrikes by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan to fulfil its selfish ends.
He was addressing a joint meeting of the activists of Congress and JD(S) in Holehonnur village in Shivamogga Rural Assembly segment limits on Wednesday.
Alleging that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre had failed on all fronts, he said that, to conceal the failure, the BJP was trying to claim credit for the strikes. “The sacrifice by our soldiers to protect the territorial integrity of the nation should not be used for electoral gains by any political party,” he said.
Crop loan waiver scheme
Mr. Bangarappa requested JD(S) and Congress activists to seek votes in rural areas by highlighting the crop loan waiver scheme launched by the coalition government in the State. He alleged that, in the past five years, Mr. Modi had neglected the problems of farmers.
“Realising that the BJP may face setbacks in the election due to prevailing rural distress, the Centre has announced Pradhan Mantri Krishi Samman Nidhi scheme of providing ₹6,000 per year to farmers in the Budget. The scheme is an eyewash and the problems faced by farmers cannot be resolved by paying them a paltry sum of ₹6,000,” he said.
Sharada Poorya Naik, former MLA; Veda Vijaykumar, vice-president of zilla panchayat; and H.S. Sundaresh, president of Shivamogga District Congress Committee, were present. Mr. Bangarappa also addressed the meetings of the leaders of both the parties in Kumsi and Holalur villages later.