Chief Minister announced to waive off Rs 50,000 crop loans raised in co-operative banks and societies But the chief minister is accused of not discussing the issue with his cabinet colleagues before making the announcement Except for a few officials of Finance Department, even Home Minister was not aware of it
Did Chief Minister Siddaramaiah kept his decision to waiver crop loans under wraps even from his close Cabinet ministers? At least that's what the discontent murmurs in the Congress camp suggest. Siddaramaiah's surprise decision to waive crop loan brought cheers among the farmers who were reeling under severe drought in the state for the past three years. Also, political analysts were quick to point out this was chief minister's masterstroke to silence the Opposition parties who had been attacking the government.
But this has reportedly upset a few Congress leaders, as they think that the chief minister has taken unilateral decision without consulting with anyone.
Home Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwar was reportedly unaware of the chief minister's decision on waiving farm loan. In fact, Parameshwar was not present in the House when the farm loan waiver was announced. It is said that Parameshwar was upset that Siddaramaiah did not consult party members before making his decision. Besides, despite the instructions by Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal, CM's unilateral decision to waive loan shows the lack of trust among the cabinet ministers, reports Vijayavani quoting a source. There were less than 60 Congress leaders when the chief minister surprised the Opposition parties. This clearly shows the deep divide in the party, said a source. The party could have played it to their advantage by showing up in good majority at the House but that did not happen as it was not discussed in the party. The chief minister maintained secrecy, complained some of the leaders, reports Viajayavani.
It is alleged that only a few bureaucrats in Finance Department were aware of the crop loan waiver announcement.
It was not the first time that the chief minister made such unilateral decision in the government. Earlier, too, majority of his schemes 'Ksheera bhagya', 'Anna Bhagya' were made without consulting anyone, it is alleged. This had also developed discontent among the Congress leaders but they stood by the Chief Minister to prevent Opposition parties taking advantage of it.
It has been a day since the announcement was made but not many ministers have issued statements defending the chief minister's decision, so far.
