Saturday, April 29 2006 14:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Coimbatore: MDMK general secretary Vaiko today (Apr 29, 2006) accused DMK of failing to waive agricultural loans, when it was in power in Tamil Nadu during 1996-2001, claiming that NABARD and RBI were objecting to do so.

M Karunanidhi, who was Chief Minister during 1996-2001, had rejected the requests of Left parties, when they approached him in 1999 seeking waiver of farmer loans, saying agencies like NABARD and RBI were objecting and not ready for refinancing, Vaiko alleged.

Addressing an election meeting in support of his party candidate at Thondamuthur constituency, M Kannappan, the MDMK leader alleged that Karunanidhi, who had 'failed and did not help' the farmers then, was announcing the waiver only with an eye on elections and cheat the farming community.

"However, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has boldly announced that she would waive cooperative and other loans, even if NABARD and RBI, for that matter the Centre, did not extend any helping hand or refinance the funds," Vaiko said.

Seeking an explanation from DMK, which has 13 ministers in the UPA ministry, Vaiko asked whether it had ever written to the Centre or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, about farmers'problem or the issue of waiving of interests or loans.

Though UPA government has adequate financial resources and the capacity to mobilise funds, it has also not come to the rescue of farmers, Vaiko alleged.