Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 29: BJP leaders, who were going full throttle ahead in demanding waiver of all kinds and all amounts of farm loans, seem to have tapered down their stance on this issue over the last some weeks.

This climb down from the earlier stand which the BJP stubbornly held on to, was reflected by the demand made by BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, seeking to waive agricultural loans in cooperative societies up to one lac rupees and two lac rupees in nationalized banks. He was addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the BJP core committee meeting on Saturday July 28.

"If waiver of all the loans is not possible, the government should waive farm loans as promised during the reply to discussions on state budget. The government should deposit the amount of loans so waived into nationalized banks and cooperative societies at an early date so that the farmers would be able to raise new loans," he stated.

Yeddyurappa said that JD(S) could secure 37 assembly seats this time by extending false promises, duly expressing the opinion that but for false promises, that party would not have got more than 20 seats. He urged JD(S) to meet its poll promises, and waive loans raised by fishermen, Stree Shakti self-help groups, loans of weavers etc. "Let them sanction monthly allowances to senior leaders, pregnant women and poor women as per assurances made earlier. If they fail to do so, we will bring before the people their falsehood," he stated.

At the meeting of BJP leaders too it was decided to bring pressure on the state government to implement the waiver of loans scheme which has already been announced.