Fertiliser rollback: BJP to show off pro-farmer image

With Finance Minister Jaswant Singh rolling back the increase in fertiliser prices, the BJP started gearing itself to go to town with the &#...

With Finance Minister Jaswant Singh rolling back the increase in fertiliser prices, the BJP started gearing itself to go to town with the ‘‘feel-good Budget.’’ In a year when Assembly polls are due in — Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — the BJP was keen on projecting a pro-farmer image.

The party has planned a fortnight-long countrywide campaign, touching all Assembly segments to highlight the ‘‘positive aspects of the General and Railway Budgets and the NDA Government’s achievements from March 19.’’

BJP chief M. Venkaiah Naidu in a statement complimented Singh for having taken the ‘‘bold’’ decision. Naidu said: ‘‘The decision of the Finance Minister withdrawing the increase in the price of urea and DAP is welcome.’’

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Naidu was apparently keen on cornering the credit for the rollback. While Singh was under pressure from the NDA allies to withdraw the hike, the BJP was inclined to do so without much fuss so that the party was not put to a double-loss by losing money as well as political mileage. There was a clear race for taking credit. Indian National Lok Dal leader and Haryana CM O.P. Chautala, according to a state government release, ‘‘expressed his gratitude to Singh for acceding to his request to withdraw the hike’’.

The Congress chose to downplay the rollback. Instead, the party regretted the continuation of the special cess on diesel saying it would have cascading effect on people living in rural areas. Party spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy said: ‘‘We are unhappy as the special cess on diesel is continuing. It has a cascading effect on the price situation, particularly in rural areas where it is the main source of fuel for people.’’

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