Karnataka CM meets PM Modi, to announce farm loan waiver on Wednesday

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Kumaraswamy, who is heading the JDS-Congress coalition government, after the meeting with prime minister said he will make an announcement on farm loan waiver on Wednesday.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. PTI Photo

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Kumaraswamy, who is heading the JDS-Congress coalition government, after the meeting with prime minister said he will make an announcement on farm loan waiver on Wednesday. Kumaraswamy, while talking to the media, said he is committed to waive farm loans or else he will retire from politics,. He also asked people not to fall prey to the "BJP's conspiracy". "I have clearly said that I will waive farm loans. I had promised during election that I will do it in 24 hours. That is true. At least you should give time to breathe. Today, I have limitations." "If I don't do it, have clearly said that I will retire from politics and I will resign as chief minister. Why cannot you wait for some time?," he said. He said he has heard statements by BJP leaders including BS Yeddyurappa on the issue of farm loan waiver. "I am not sitting quiet. I am not Yeddyurappa to sit quiet." "The guidelines to waive farm loans have been kept ready. They will be shared before the public on Wednesday in Bengaluru," he said. Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy visited Raj Ghat to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. He also met top Congress leaders in the national capital to work out power-sharing arrangement with the ally. As per the agreement between the alliance partners, the Congress will have 22 Cabinet posts, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, as it has 78 legislators while the JD-S will keep 12, including the Chief Minister, as it has 36 lawmakers in the 222-member Assembly. The JD-S will finalise its list of members for the Cabinet posts in consultation with its supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. (With inputs from agencies)