Poll promises for poor questioned but not loan waivers of rich: HK Patil

Gadag: Congress heavyweight H K Patil has expressed dismay after some sections questioned welfare schemes for the poor but not the Centre's loan waivers for the rich.

In an interview with PTI, Patil who is seeking reelection from the Gadag assembly constituency said the quality of the campaign has stooped to a very low level this time. He said it is not good for making the country's democracy healthy. He exuded confidence that the Congress will win all four seats in the Gadag district.

In the 2018 election, BJP won Shirahatti, Ron, and Naragund seats, while Congress netted Gadag. The Gadag constituency has been ruled by the Patil family for 47 years. Patil is also Congress' Maharashtra in-charge.

Q1. How does Congress party plan to generate funds to fulfill its poll promises?

Ans 1. It is unfortunate that whenever a poll promise is made for the poor everyone asks these kinds of questions. Did anyone question Rs 10 lakh crore loan write-off by the Centre to 523 industrial houses? Everyone keeps mum when rich people’s load is written off. However, they question when schemes are announced for the poor.

Q2. Why is Congress not empowering the poor but making them dependent on such schemes?

Ans: Agree we should empower them but for some time we need to handhold them. We then try to make them stand on their feet. The poor and middle class are hit by inflation and price rise. The quality of the election campaign has come down. Unfortunately, the level has stooped to a very low level this time. This is not good for making our democracy healthy. Democracy has been weakened by unhealthy utterances and malpractices in the state.

Q3. Why have you been lying low and not seen like others?

Ans I don’t have a habit of being aggressive with words. The political atmosphere has deteriorated now. I don't appreciate unnecessary aggressiveness. My focus is on my silent voters. I have been MLC for 20 years and a legislator for 10 years. I am reaching out to neutral voters.

Q4. What about the Rs 190 crore water testing lab scam when you were Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister in Siddaramaiah-led Congress government?

Ans 4. There is no controversy. People are jealous of the success of that scheme. If anything wrong is suspected, let the government probe and take action. We will form the government.

Inputs from PTI