Gujarat BJP attacks Congress full throttle at farmers rally, held it responsible for 1.58 lakh suicides

Gandhinagar

The ruling BJP today held 58 year long ‘misrule’ of Congress responsible for the suicide of 158000 (one lakh 58 thousand) farmers and made all out attack on the opposition party for its alleged anti farmer policies in the past during a farmer rally here today.

The rally third such programme of the earlier announced 8, was held in Ramkatha ground here where Chief Minister Mrs Anandiben Patel and BJP state president Vijay Rupani reached the stage on a well-decorated bullock-cart.

In his welcome address the national general secretary of BJP Kisan Morcha and former minister of Gujarat, Gordhan Zadafia said that 1.58 lakh farmers committed suicide during the 58 year long rule of Congress in the country. ‘Congress has no right to talk about the farmer’s interest as the party during its 58 year long rule post independence had done nothing for them and is responsible for their dismal plight. Around 65% of the 14.5 crore hectare arable land in the country remained without irrigation facility during long congress regime. The BJP has taken many pro-farmer steps including the reduction in the premium proportion for the crop insurance scheme,’ he said.

CM Mrs. Patel in her address attacked Congress for delaying the work of Narmada project during its rule at center. ‘They kept it hanging for eight years since 2006 while Narendrabhai cleared it within 15 days after becoming the Prime Minister. All the 30 radial gates of the dam will be installed by March 2017,’ she said adding that her government has resolved to bring revolution in agriculture through water revolution.

She also elaborated on various pro-farmer initiatives of successive BJP governments including the works on sub minor canals in North Gujarat. She also said that in a first of its kind initiative her government has made provision for a soft farmer loan up to Rs 3 lakh for Kharif season at an interest rate of mere one percent. Mrs. Patel also spoke about her government’s decision to set up Organic University and pumping in Rs 2500 crore for development of rural roads under Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojna. She also said that those involved in black marketing of fertilizers during Congress rule have been booked.

Mr. Rupani in his address through statistics explained the steps taken by the BJP government to improve the plight of farmers and villages and urged people to remember it to teach a lesson to the anti-farmer Congress in the coming days. ‘Congress did not do anything for providing electricity and water to the farmers while during last almost 15 years rule of the BJP in Gujarat, 6.32 lakh new electricity connection have been given to farmers with Rs 16000 crore electricity subsidy. During the period milk production had gone up to 116 lakh tons from earlier 67 lakh tons,’ he said.

BJP national vice president Purushottam Rupala and Gujarat health minister Nitin Patel also addressed the rally.

Earlier BJP had organized the first such rally in Bhuj and second in Lunavada.

– DeshGujarat