MUMBAI, Nov. 9 -- Senior BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil is in the eye of a storm after his comment yesterday on farmers and loan waivers. The water resources minister remarked that farmers took loans, got them waived, and then got into debt again, a process that had been going on for years. Similarly uncharitable remarks were made earlier by former agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also got immense flak. "This process of creating a society, taking loans, getting the loans waived and demanding a loan waiver again after getting indebted has been going on for many years," said Vikhe-Patil, taking a jibe at the agrarian community. Within moments, however, he realised his mistake and continued, "Our government has already declared that farm loans will be waived and there is no problem with this." The remarks were slammed by Dr Ajit Nawale, farmer leader and general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). "Before elections, politicians promise loan waivers and seek votes, but once farmer organisations demand that the promises be fulfilled, they are harassed. This cycle continues," he said. Nawale was referring to the Mahayuti coalition, which, in the run-up to the state assembly elections, declared a loan waiver for farmers but has failed to announce this even after completing almost one year in power. Lambasting the Mahayuti further, Nawale said, "Vikhe Patil blames the farmers. The government implements exploitative policies against farmers, manipulates import-export policies and lowers prices in the name of inflation. Instead of helping farmers, the government's policy is to inflate the profits of crop insurance companies, which is why farmers are becoming indebted." Vikhe-Patil said his comments were distorted, explaining he was referring to gram panchayat and cooperative society elections, where loans are taken without resulting productivity, leading to debt and repeated demands for waivers. He insisted the remark was only in that election context. The BJP also defended him, with revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule saying the comment was misinterpreted. Earlier, NCP agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate was removed after remarks against farmers, while deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar also faced criticism for saying farmers were getting used to freebies....