BJP plans yatras in areas facing farmers suicides

YAVATMAL: With elections due in as many as nine states this year, the BJP seems to have decided to take on the Congress on yet another issue -- farmers' suicides and is set to roll out its 'rath' in regions facing agrarian crisis.
    
Turning the heat on the government, BJP President Rajnath Singh demanded unveiling of a pension scheme for farmers and sought an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
    
As he concluded his two-day 'Kisan Yatra' in this town of Vidarbha region, the epicentre of farmers' suicides, Singh lashed out at the Congress-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra holding them responsible for the distress in agricultural sector and demanded effective measures to improve the lot of peasants.
    
With an eye on the Assembly and possible Lok Sabha elections, Singh promised loans to farmers at four per cent interest, waiver of repayment of interest for the first year and implementation of farm income insurance scheme if the party is voted to power.
   
Talking onboard his 'rath', the former Union Agriculture Minister said the party is planning more yatras in regions hit by farmers' suicides including Bundelkhand in his home state of Uttar Pradesh.
   
He repeatedly targeted the Congress and spoke about his party's decision to marry Hindutva with development.
   
"Hindutva and development cannot be separated. Our stand on Hindutva has been misinterpreted by our political rivals who are confusing the common man," Singh said.