Raichur, Feb 10 (UNI) Alleging that the Union government tried to suppress the voices of farmers in the country by hurriedly implementing the farm laws, former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday said that this had created unrest in the farming sector.

Addressing the media persons at Yeramarus IB near here, Mr Gowda demanded the government to tell as to why it was trying to 'suppress' the voice of farmers.

'Why has it built a wall? I have raised these questions in the Rajya Sabha. The Centre should not make it a prestigious issue. I will extend full support to the farmers and raise their issue in Parliament,' he assured.

Replying to a question, Mr Gowda said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will win the Assembly elections again, but with less number of seats.

When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Rajya Sabha lauding Congress leader and outgoing Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mr Gowda said, 'He (Azad) is a politician, who is liked by everyone.'

Recollecting the role Mr Azad played during the formation of the coalition government in Karnataka, Mr Gowda said that Mr Azad wanted HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister, 'though I had suggested Mallikarjun Kharge's name'.

He ruled out the merger of JD(S) with other parties and said that he will work to strengthen the JD(S), concentrating on the next Assembly elections.

'The state government has not completely waived off the farm loans and I hope it will do so in the coming days. We will not contest the bypolls. The JD (S) will not try to topple the government. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has got trust from the voters in the last by-elections,' he added.

UNI SD MSP RJ 1954