Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jun 13: Veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Tuesday June 13 lashed out at his own party and chief minister Siddaramaiah over the plight of farmers in the state and said that when farmers are protesting half naked in Mandya, the CM is blissfully enjoying power.
Addressing a press meet here, Poojary said, "In Mandya farmers are on the streets without clothes, demanding loan waiver from the government. But our CM Siddarmaiah is busy enjoying power, and has no time to address the farmers.
"If this continues, the days are not far when people will throw him (Siddarmaiah) out. I cannot remain silent when farmers are facing problems. I will attack the CM and the Congress party on this issue, I do not care about threat of termination or any other action from my party," Poojary said.
"The CM and the Prime Minister both are the responsible for the plight of farmers. They do not have any sympathy for farmers. It would be good for the nation if they were to resign immediately.
"The clippings of farmers staging protest half naked is already making headlines in international media. It is a big shame to India at the international level. On the one hand, India is facing drought and on the other, farmers are committing suicide. Both the central and the state governments are bussy promoting their own names and fame. I cannot understand what type of administration they are giving to the public," he said.
"Without satisfying the farmers in Karnataka Congress will not be able to retain power. Siddaramaiah is in deep sleep. I want tell him to kindly wake up from slumber and concentrate on the administration.
"Waive the loans. Do not wait central government and do not give excuses that the central government is not providing funds," he added, addressing himself to Siddaramaiah.
"When I was the finance minister, I waived the loans of farmers. Shivaraj Chauhan, the CM of Madhya Pradesh has already assured the farmers that he would waive their loans. Maharashtra CM has also done the same, and also Uttar Pradesh CM. So why not Siddarmaiah?" he questioned.
"It is not an issue of party. I am taking this up as a humanitarian issue. Please respond to farmers, if you (Siddarmaiah) cannot, then resign. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley should also resign. He does not have the capacity to manage the finance ministry. He is very poor in his performance," Poojary added.
Answering a question on the book distribution issue pertaining to MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Poojary said, "I am not against book distribution. But when books carry MLA's pictures, it means that the MLA is trying to introduce himself to the people of his constituency. It means he has done nothing for his constituency and people do not know him or even his face."