BJP ally Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana chief Raju Shetty on Saturday said that the decision of pulling out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would be taken in “the next 10 to 15 days”. The decision will be taken because the PM has still not fulfilled the assurances given to farmers during the 2014 election campaign, he said.
“We will decide whether to continue supporting the NDA or not in the next 10 to 15 days in our State executive meeting because the PM has still not fulfilled the assurances he gave to farmers during the 2014 election campaign. It’s been three years. We went with him for those promises but if they are not going to act on it, we will take a decision in our State executive,” Mr. Shetty told reporters in Nagpur.
Calling the central government “extremely insensitive” towards the farmers’ issues, the Lok Sabha MP came down heavily on the BJP-led central government and the Maharashtra government.
“The farmers were told to produce pulses. When they believed the PM and went for the pulses, even the government decided MSP wasn’t given to them because of this government’s apathy towards farmers. They imported 5 lakh tonnes of pulses and the FCI also brought out its old stock for sale on lesser prices hampering the farmers’ interest. All this has contributed to farmers’ distress. In 2014, Narendra Modi had promised one and half times MSP on the production cost. As a result, the farmers from across the country voted for him. His promises led to an increased debt burden on farmers and the central government now has an obligation to clear it,” Mr. Shetty said.
He also criticised the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra on the loan waiver.
“We are adamant on complete loan waiver... But the loan waiver given by Maharashtra can’t be more than Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 18, 000 crore. The impractical conditions will bring this amount further down. It can’t be Rs. 34,000 crores. It is an attempt to deceive people,” he claimed.
On the rumors about his induction in the Union Cabinet in the next expansion, Mr. Shetty said that he had never demanded a post of a Minister.
“I won’t be a part of the Union Cabinet. I never demanded it and I won’t take it as they are still to act out their promises. I went to Delhi to raise the farmers’ issue and to give them justice, even if they invite me I won’t take it (Cabinet berth),” he stated.
