CM HDK to announce loan waiver on Wednesday

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has declared that he will announce the government plans for a farm loan waiver for Karnataka on Wednesday. “I will be putting forward my government’s plans for a farm loan waiver in very clear terms and with all modalities laid out,” he said.

Kumaraswamy was in Delhi on Monday to meet the Congress high command and discuss the allocation of portfolios in the coalition government. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters, he clarified the statement he had given that he was at the ‘mercy’ of the Congress and not of the people of Karnataka.

He said that his simple statement had been twisted by the BJP and the media. He had only said that he was in a coalition with the Congress and therefore, would have to speak to them about the farm loan waiver. He further said he could not settle the issue in 24 hours, as promised, because he had to work out the terms with the Congress. “This farm loan waiver is my solemn promise and I will deliver it, let no one have any doubt. I will leave politics if I renege on that,” he added.

Kumaraswamy also attacked BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa for his demand on the loan waiver by asking if he would take responsibility for the four farmers who had committed suicide on Sunday. “The BJP or Yeddyurappa, whose record on agriculture and rural distress is clear for all to see, need not cast aspersions on my intent,” he said.

On Monday morning, Kumaraswamy met Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge. Reportedly, in the allocation of portfolio, the JD(S) has been given PWD, revenue, horticulture, agriculture and sericulture. The Congress has home, rural development, irrigation, energy and others. Now the fight is for the finance portfolio as both parties are vying for it.

Kumaraswamy’s meeting with the Prime Minister was a courtesy call. The CM said that the PM had advised him to constitute his Council of Ministers quickly. Kumaraswamy also sought coal allocations for the Raichur, Yeramarsu and Bellary thermal plants in the State on an urgent basis. Apparently, Modi has told the CM that the Union government will completely support the State. He also praised JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda for being the only former PM who was still active in politics.