Narendra Modi hasn’t done anything for ryots: CM

HUBBALLI: In a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister H D

Kumaraswamy

alleged that Modi undermined the Prime Minister's Office with his repeated lies on several issues. He also challenged Modi to list out programme implemented in the last five years for the welfare of farmers, Dalits, minorities and youth.

Campaigning for Congress candidate

Vinay Kulkarni

in the city on Friday, Kumaraswamy said the Narendra Modi government has not implemented a single pro-farmer programme.

Listing out programmes announced for farmers’ welfare by the coalition government, he said in his state budget, the government promised to bear the expense towards transport of farm produce to APMC markets and farmers would be allowed to store their produce if they did not get a fair price.

“The government has also proposed to offer 75 per cent cost of the produce as loan without any interest and the borrowed amount will be recovered when the farmer sells his produce. If a group of farmers come forward for cooperate farming, the government will provide up to Rs1 crore to purchase agriculture equipment. For women self-help groups, the government had proposed to offer interest-free loan up to Rs5 Lakh,” the chief minister said.

He also appealed minorities to cast their votes in large numbers.

Congress dharwad candidate and ex-minister Vinay Kulkarni said the state-run BSNL suffered losses because of the Modi government's pro-Jio stand. “The Prime Minister Fasal Beema Yojana also benefited Reliance company a lot. It shows the Modi government was working for a few rich people but not the welfare of poor and farmers,” he added.