After the BJP's poll debacles in three major States, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, mostly due to neglect of farmers, its Odisha unit on Tuesday promised to waive all farm loans in the State if the party comes to power in the 2019 elections.

 At a Press conference here, BJP State president Basant Panda announced that the party would waive all farm loans and provide loans to farmer with zero interest if it is voted to form Government.

Besides, Panda informed that the party would begin a 'Mandi Chala Abhiyan' across the State from Wednesday till January 7 to protest against faulty functioning of Mandis and delay in paddy procurement.

During the Abhiyan, the party members would stage demonstrations and burn effigies of Food Supplies and Cooperation Minister Surjya Narayan Patro in front of all the 4,381 Mandis across the State.

 Panda further announced that his party would also gherao the State Secretariat on January 8 to press for their demand of farm loan waiver.

 On the BJD's scheduled demonstration before the Parliament on January 8 in demand of paddy Minimum Support Price (MSP) hike, Panda said the State's ruling party is only shedding crocodile tears for farmers. He alleged that the State Government has remained indifferent towards farmers' issues.

In reaction, BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pratap Keshari Deb said the BJP is on the path of self-destruction. He termed the Mandi Chala Abhiyan as "Vinash Kale Vipareet Buddhi (taking wrong decisions when on path of destruction).  "If there are irregularities in functioning of the Mandis, the State Government will take appropriate action in this regard. There is no doubt on this as the State Government has always given first priority to framers' interest." Deb said.