After Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, it was the turn of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for criticising the coalition government’s farm loan waiver scheme.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday, Mr. Siddaramaiah took offence to Mr. Modi’s “lollipop” jibe at the loan waiver scheme. “OK, we have given lollipop. What pop has he given?”, asked Mr. Siddaramaiah.
Questioning Mr. Modi’s moral right to criticise the State government, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Prime Minister had failed to come to the aid of farmers when he led delegations twice as Chief Minister on the loan waiver issue. The Modi government at the Centre is against the agriculture sector and farmers, he alleged.
He also questioned the contribution of the BJP-run State governments to farmers in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and till recently in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier, a large number of partymen met Mr. Siddaramaiah at his residence to complain against Periyapatna’s JD(S) MLA K. Mahadev for allegedly abusing Congress workers and leaders. He assured the party workers that he will discuss the issue with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
