BJP Never Promised Farm Loan Waiver in Manifesto: Maha Minister
In a recent development, Maharashtra Minister Atul Save has sparked controversy by stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) never promised farm loan waivers in its manifesto for the 2024 state assembly elections. This comment comes amidst a heated debate on the issue of farm loan waivers in the state.
The statement was made in response to a hunger strike by Prahar Janshakti Party founder Bachchu Kadu, who had been fasting for seven days in the Amravati district to demand a complete farm loan waiver. The government had finally assured Kadu that it would consider his demand, bringing an end to his hunger strike.
Kadu had been demanding a complete farm loan waiver for farmers in the state, citing the financial difficulties faced by them due to crop failures and other factors. However, Save’s statement has raised questions about the BJP’s stance on the issue.
“It’s not true that the BJP promised farm loan waivers in its manifesto,” Save said in a statement. “We had promised to provide financial assistance to farmers, but not a complete loan waiver.”
Save’s statement has been met with criticism from opposition parties, which have accused the BJP of going back on its promises. The Congress, for instance, has demanded that the government fulfill its promise to waive off farm loans.
“The BJP had promised to waive off farm loans in its manifesto, and now they are saying that it was not promised,” said a Congress leader. “This is a clear case of deceit and betrayal of the trust reposed in the party by the people.”
On the other hand, the BJP has defended Save’s statement, saying that the party’s manifesto had clearly mentioned that it would provide financial assistance to farmers, but not a complete loan waiver.
“The manifesto had clearly stated that we would provide financial assistance to farmers, but it did not promise a complete loan waiver,” said a BJP spokesperson. “We had also promised to improve the agricultural sector, increase crop yields, and provide better prices to farmers for their produce.”
The controversy surrounding farm loan waivers is not new in Maharashtra. The state has been grappling with the issue for several years, with farmers demanding relief from the state government. The issue had taken a political turn during the 2019 assembly elections, with the BJP’s main rival, the Congress-NCP alliance, promising a complete farm loan waiver if they came to power.
The BJP, on the other hand, had promised to provide financial assistance to farmers and improve the agricultural sector. However, the party’s manifesto did not mention a complete farm loan waiver.
The issue of farm loan waivers has been a contentious one, with critics arguing that it would create a moral hazard, encouraging more farmers to take loans and default on them. Others have argued that it would provide relief to farmers who are struggling to pay off their loans, and help to improve the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding farm loan waivers in Maharashtra is unlikely to die down soon. The BJP’s statement that it never promised farm loan waivers in its manifesto has raised questions about the party’s stance on the issue. While the party had promised to provide financial assistance to farmers, it had not committed to a complete loan waiver.
The government’s decision to consider Kadu’s demand for a complete farm loan waiver has brought some relief to farmers, but the issue is far from being resolved. The state government needs to take a clear stance on the issue and provide relief to farmers who are struggling to make ends meet.
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