Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said yesterday that he is at the ‘mercy’ of the Congress party and not of the 6.5 crore citizens of the state, which is why he is unable to take any decisions on waiving of farmers’ loans yet.
Speaking to media persons on the question of pressure from the opposition over farmers’ loan waivers, Kumaraswamy said he is at the mercy of Congress because his party, Janata Dal (Secular), had failed to get a majority on its own during assembly elections.
“People of the state have rejected me and my party. Mine is not an independent government. I had sought an absolute majority so that I would have been bound by pressure only from the people and not anybody else. But now I am at the mercy of Congress. I am not at the mercy of 6.5 crore people of the state,” said Kumaraswamy.
The newly elected chief minister has been facing pressure from BJP’s Yeddyurappa, who had said during his resignation speech last week that his party will call for a state-wide bandh if the newly-elected government fails to announce farm loan waiver within a week. Large farmers’ organizations and unions have also been stepping up pressure on him.
Kumaraswamy said waiving loans of farmers is on the top of his agenda as he had promised in his party’s election manifesto, but he seeks time to implement it as he cannot do anything without consulting Congress leaders. He requested farmers not to take drastic measures like committing suicide as he will take a decision on it as soon as his cabinet is formed.