Parties' apathy to farmers' issues deplorable: Gowda

JD (S) chief says national parties did little for farmers N Viswanath Bangalore: Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda who served as the 14th Chief Minister of of Karnataka (1994�1996) and 11th Prime Minister (1996�1997) is popularly called Mannina maga (a son of the soil) for his struggles to strive for betterment of farmers. At present, he heads Janata Dal (Secular) as its national president. As Karnataka is heading for crucial elections in May, the former Prime Minister is worried that politicking and bickering have taken the centre-stage, pushing back the pathetic conditions of farmers to the background. He has taken strong exception to the political parties announcing freebies and populist measures to beguile the voters. In a free-wheeling interview The Hans India, he has expressed concern over the deep crisis in the agricultural sector, and rued that farmers are being driven to suicides by desperation over mounting losses year after year. He stresses the immediate need to attend to the needs of the farmers. He also throws light on the burning issues of the day. Excerpts:

What are key poll issues? There are several key issues like poverty, drinking water, unemployment, malnutrition and agricultural crisis. Drinking water scarcity is almost the same in urban and rural areas. Certainly, these issues will play a major role in deciding the fate of political parties and individual candidates. All these problems should be addressed by politicians to win the confidence of voters.

What about farming sector? Every day we watch suicides of farmers. The situation and condition prevalent in many States in the farming sector is quite pathetic. Poverty rate is rising rapidly beyond our expectations. Unemployment, malnutrition and so many burning issues are cropping up now-a-days. All political parties should talk about and incorporate these issues into their manifestoes.

Why aren't many parties not concerned about farmers? When I was Prime Minister, I took many decisions in favour of agriculture. What I had promised, I kept them. As a farmer I was satisfied with my decisions as Chief Minister and also as Prime Minister. Many parties have announced freebies during these elections in Karnataka. For instance, BJP has promised to provide 25 kg rice. The extent of paddy fields is coming down year after year. How can they procure rice? Is it possible to purchase rice from other States every year? Those that talk about agriculture must evolve ways to help farmers wriggle out of crises that they are in. But that is not happening.

Freebies needed even after 65 years of independence I don't want to give more importance to those political parties that are offering freebies. But in the 65 years of independent rule in our country, there are a few achievements and many failures. The major achievements do not correspond to the rate of rise in poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, lack of livelihood and basic amenities. Thus they are not creating any confidence among masses. When the sufferings of the people are more, whether the two national parties (BJP and Congress) accept or not, the achievements fade before the failures. I don't say the two national parties have not done anything. The achievements are few and failures are so much. That's why they are resorting to many freebies.

How is JD(S) going to fare? We have our own prospects. Our party has struggled a lot for farmers and is fighting to get a proper share of Krishna water from Maharashtra. Many times we had dialogue with Maharashtra and knew the sufferings of farmers of Karnataka. We are confident of getting the needed majority in Assembly elections. I don't want to come to a conclusion on the prospects of coalition government. I don't think that post poll alliance issue won't arise. Every political party, whether it is Congress, BJP or JD (S), they are struggling on their own to come to power on their own base and majority. Do you expect early polls at Centre? The indications are pointing towards that direction. Whenever the general elections are going to be, either in 2013 or in 2014, we are geared up to fight them.