Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asked India’s voters to throw the BJP out of power if the government fails to double farmers’ income by 2022, a statement which came amid a violent agitation agriculturists in Madhya Pradesh.
He was addressing a rally at Dudu, about 60 km from Jaipur, to mark the completion of three years of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
“Farmers are not only the largest producers but also the largest consumers, and when they will have money in their pocket then everyone will start earning, be it a shopkeeper, a doctor or a teacher,” he said in his speech which was mostly devoted to farmers’ issues.
He said farmers comprise more than 50% of India’s population and unless they prosper the country cannot become prosperous.
“Prime Minster Narendra Modi has said that the government was taking steps to double farmers’ income by 2022, and let me say that if we fail to do so then you can kick the BJP out of power,” he added.
At least six farmers were killed in police firing on farmers demanding loan waivers and better prices of their produce, in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district on Tuesday. Farmers in Maharashtra are also agitating over similar demands.
Singh accused some political parties of fanning the farmers unrest in MP and Maharashtra for their “own selfish reasons”.
“Both the chief ministers are very sensitive and are taking steps to address the farmers problems,” he said.
Calling farmers ‘annadata’ – one who provides food — Singh said people had shown faith in BJP in 2014 and the party will not let them down.
“I am not saying all the problems will be solved immediately but we are taking steps to bring down input costs and improve infrastructure. The focus now is on drip irrigation, providing soil cards to all the farmers and adopting modern farming methods,” he said.
Singh said efforts were being made to increase the area under irrigation and urged BJP leaders present to prepare a proposal for interlinking of rivers in Rajasthan to the Union government.
“We can’t give government jobs to all youths but can develop their skills so that they can start their work. For this, the government has opened skill development centers and providing them loans on low interest,” he said. Singh also had lunch at a Dalit’s home in Dudu after the rally.
Earlier in the day, Singh visited the Muhana mandi in Jaipur and said the borders of the country are more secured at present.
Source: HindustanTimes