BJP accuses Karnataka govt of appeasement for waiving loan interest for minorities

Bengaluru: Senior BJP leaders on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Siddaramaiah government, accusing it of indulging in appeasement politics by selectively waiving interest on loans availed by minorities while ignoring farmers, backward classes and other marginalised sections.

The state Cabinet recently approved a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to waive interest on loans provided by the Minority Development Corporation for the years 2013-14 to 2018-19, to address pending recoveries of Rs 714 crore from loans originally amounting to Rs 981 crore.

BJP MLC C T Ravi questioned the chief minister’s “selective” interest waiver policy. “Why similar relief has not been extended to beneficiaries of the Ambedkar Development Corporation, Valmiki Corporation and other backward class corporations. Is appeasing just one community your idea of secularism?,” he asked. Former chief minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai alleged that the state government had consistently pursued vote-bank politics instead of addressing widespread economic distress.

Speaking to the media in Gadag, Bommai said interest on loans should have been waived for all farmers, the poor and backward classes, pointing out that farmer suicides were rising and compensation and insurance coverage were inadequate.

“Nearly 80% of people are in distress, yet the government is following anti-people policies,” he alleged.