If PM can give debt relief to rich, then why not farmers; asks Rahul Gandhi

Said it is the responsibility of the prime minister to listen to farmers and solve their problems

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the BJP government was "Kisan Virodhi" and asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give debt relief to the richest, then why not the farmers.

Accusing the Prime Minister of being disrespectful to farmers, Rahul Gandhi, who met Tamil Nadu farmers agitating in the capital for drought relief funds, said the plight of the drought-stricken farmers and their families does not affect the government.

"I don't understand why this discrimination. If PM has given debt relief to the richest people in the country, why is he not ready to give debt relief to those who build this country, the farmers," he added.

The Congress leader also said it was the responsibility of the prime minister to listen to the farmers and solve their problems.

Pointing to the demands of the farmers — drought relief, waiving of loans and support to the farmers, Rahul Gandhi said a solution "needs to be worked out and at least a conversation needs to be started by these people".

He also vowed to raise the issue in Parliament in support of the farmers' cause.

"This government is kisan virodhi (anti-farmer) and garib virodhi (anti-poor). They are sitting here for so many days. Neither the government nor the PM is listening to their voice," he said.