BJP to take up farmers’ cause across Karnataka: Javadekar
The Karnataka BJP, ahead of the Assembly polls, will organise a statewide campaign from March 21 in support of the farmers’ cause, pledging justice for them if the party comes to power in the state, Union minister and BJP in-charge of Karnataka Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday.
During the ‘Mushti Dhanya Sangraha Abhiyana’, a door-todoor campaign, party workers will collect a handful of grains from farmers, while assuring them of policy decisions that will ensure their welfare.
“In all villages our workers will go door-to-door and collect a handful of grains, maybe rice, maize or ragi,” he said.
“In return, we will give a letter to farmers by B S Yeddyurappa (BJP state president) asking them not to commit suicide and assuring them that once the BJP comes to power, we will ensure that no farmer dies in the state”, he said. Pointing out that more than 3,500 farmers have committed suicide during the present Congress government’s regime in Karnataka, he said, “We will promise to ensure complete justice to farmers”.
“During the conclusion of the
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campaign... April 8, 9, or 10, depending on convenience, in each Assembly constituency there would be ‘samohik bojan’ (mass meal) with farmers and non-farmers where a pledge will be taken to create an administration and take policy decisions to ensure welfare and interest of farmers,” he said.
The grains collected from farmers would used during the ‘samohik bojan’.
‘Mushti Dhanya Sangraha Abhina’ was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Davangere last month.
BJP has already mobilised 6,000 ‘Mushti Dhanya Abhina’ in-charges for the purpose.
Assembly elections in Karnataka are likely to be held in April/ May. Accusing the Congress of being “completely anti- farmer”, Javadekar said they have ruined farmers by following a “deliberate” policy of not paying remunerative prices for their produce.
On the demand by farmers in Karnataka for waiving off their loans from nationalised banks, Javadekar said the UP and Maharashtra governments have paid on behalf of farmers, while the Karnataka government did not.
Asked whether the BJP would waive loans , he said “our manifesto will tell...”