Resign if you can't help farmers: Chavan to state, Centre government

Criticising union minister Nitin Gadkari for his statement on farmers' issues, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan on Sunday said his remarks were condemnable, and called for the resignation of the BJP-led government in the state as well as at the centre.

Speaking at a function in Nagpur, Gadkari allegedly said that the government can only provide 2% help to farmers, since it doesn't have the capacity or the cash to help farmers facing successive calamities.

Pointing out that Gadkari had stated the BJP-led regime, whether in Maharashtra or at New Delhi, can't extend 100% help to farmers, Chavan said that farmers community in the state was hoping for a loan waiver coupled with a financial package.

He further said that in a way, Gadkari admitted that the government is not in a position to provide any relief to farmers across the country. If the minister believed that the government could only help out the farmers, the Congressman said, it was better for both the governments to resign and vacate the legislative and Parliament seats. He said that while farmers are facing such a grave situation that they are resorting to suicides, Gadkari made such a statement, which is in keeping with the attitude of his government.