In the water-scarce region of Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi focused on the farmers during the second day of his north Karnataka election tour. Claiming the Modi government was focused on the development of a small group of rich industrialists, he held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government responsible for farmers’ plight.
On Sunday, 11 February, continuing his temple run, Gandhi made an unscheduled visit to the 500-year-old Kanakachala Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Kakanagiri. During the day, he addressed several gatherings across Koppal district and participated in an interactive session with the farmer community there.
‘When in Power, Farmer Loans Will Be Waived off’
During an interaction with farmers in Sindanoor Taluk, Gandhi said the issues faced by farmers are similar across the country, and the common factor among them is the ineffectiveness of the Narendra Modi government.
The Karnataka and the Punjab governments have waived farmers’ loans when the Modi government refused to do so, Gandhi said, adding that "when the Congress comes to power in the Centre" the loans of the farmers will be waived across the country.
The Modi government has waived the loans of rich businesspeople, so it is possible to waive the loans of farmers, who are the backbone our country.Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
Demonetisation, GST Attack on Farmers
Demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) were not attacks on corruption, but an attack on farmers and small businesspeople. Gandhi told the farmers gathered that the money collected through GST was used to waive the loans of Modi’s industrialist friends.
“You were made to stand in queues outside banks, while the rich entered banks through the back doors and converted their black money to white,” Gandhi said.
‘Prohibition Not Practical Unless Nationwide’
Amidst the heated interaction about loan waivers, a woman farmer declared that alcohol prohibition was the need of hour in Karnataka. The participants, who asked if the Congress party can bring total prohibition in Karnataka, said:
If there is an alcohol prohibition in the state, many farmers will not be under debt.
Both Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said prohibition in the state was not the solution. Both argued that even if prohibition was to be implemented, it should be at the national level. “Uttar Pradesh introduced prohibition in the state, but liquor was coming from other states,” Gandhi said.
‘Modi Doesn’t Have Much Time Left’
Rahul Gandhi quoted 12th Century Karnataka social reformer Basavanna, a mention of whom was made by Modi during his parliament address. “Kayigave Kailasa (work is worship)” quoted Rahul Gandhi, who said that instead of talking, Modi should speak in actions.
Stop talking and start working, you don’t have much time left. Because you will have to tell country what you have done in past 5 years.Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)