Mysuru: Accusing BJP and JD(S) leaders of taking up farmer issues only for political gains and for targeting CM Siddharamaiah, former Minister B.K. Chandrasekhar said that both the parties were aware that no State Government can waive farm loans.

Addressing media persons here yesterday, Chandrasekhar said the BJP leaders have taken up drought study tour and agrarian issues after the party lost the Nanjangud and Gundlupet by-polls.

Maintaining that the BJP leaders have no moral right to blame the State Government in connection with the loan waiver, he stressed that farmer issues should not be politicised for any reason.

Pointing out that instead of blaming each other, all political parties should come together and exert pressure on the Union Government to address agrarian issues, Chandrasekhar asserted that it is possible only for the Union Government to waive farm loans.

Noting that no State in the country except Uttar Pradesh, has waived farm loans, the former Minister claimed that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced waiver of Rs. 36,000 crore farmers’ loan as the State had other sources of income coupled with generous support by the Union Government.

He also urged the Centre to commence an emergency Parliament Session to discuss agrarian issues and find ways to address the problems of farmers.

Referring to senior Congress leader and former MP A.H. Vishwanath imminent exit from the party, Prof. Chandrasekhar said Vishwanath is with the Congress party right now. If Vishwanath had any problems with the party, he should have discussed it within party circles, he said and added that Vishwanath was attempting to defame the party by going to the media.

Maintaining that he had a lot of respect for Vishwanath, Chandrasekhar, however, said it was not correct on the part of the senior leader to go to the media and making statements that hurt the image of Congress.

When asked about the choice of KPCC President, he only said that there was a process in the selection of KPCC President and only time will tell whether Dr. G. Parameshwara will continue as KPCC President or not.

City Congress President R. Murthy, District President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar, MyLac & Paints Chairman H.A. Venkatesh, former Corporator Shivanna and others were present at the press meet.