BJP government granted loan waiver because of pressure from Congress: Rahul Gandhi in Maharashtra

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said Maharashtra farmers may get only Rs5,000 crore of the Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver announced by the government two months ago.

The pressure built by the Congress forced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to grant loan waiver to farmers in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi said in Nanded in Maharashtra’s Marathwada on Friday.

Gandhi said the Modi government was not bothered about the country and its unity, but was interested only in widening the base of BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. (FILE)

Gandhi said Maharashtra farmers may get only Rs5,000 crore of the Rs34,000-crore loan waiver announced by the government two months ago.

“The Congress’ rallies for loan waiver forced the Maharashtra government announced to write off the loan. We held rallies in Uttar Pradesh, met lakhs of farmers and filled up 2 crore forms demanding waiver. This put tremendous pressure on the Uttar Pradesh and Central government,” said Gandhi.

He said while Ratan Tata was easily given land worth Rs65,000 crore for his Nano plant at Gujarat during PM Modi’s tenure as the CM, farmers were being made to fill forms with their caste and other details for loan waiver

Gandhi will address a public rally in Parbhani around 3pm.

“The Narendra Modi-led central government has destroyed farmers, farm labourers and small traders with his policies. Demonetisation hit farmers, women and poor citizens the most. The PM first said it will help unearth the black money and curb terrorism. The recent count of the old currency has exposed his false claims. Modiji has failed to keep his promise of 2 crore jobs a year as his government could generate only 1 lakh jobs in three years. His government has failed to address the most serious problem of unemployment, ” he said.

Gandhi said the Modi government was not bothered about the country and its unity, but was only interested in widening the base of BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.