BHUBANESWAR: Farmers suicide in Odisha took a political turn with Labour, Employment and State Insurance Minister Susanta Singh on Monday accusing the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) of instigating peasants to end their lives.
Singh pointed at the suicide of Brunda Sahu, a farmer of Kalapani village in Bargarh district, and said he has video clippings to substantiate his claims.
The Minister alleged that Sahu took the extreme step after getting provoked by some local BJP leaders. This happened, he said, a few hours after the news of the farmer set his damaged crops on fire which was flashed on news channels. He alleged that a group of BJP leaders had met Sahu and instigated him to take drastic measures which were completely uncalled for.
The minister said he would soon lodge a complaint with the local police on the basis of the evidence he has and would demand action against the instigators.
The explosive statement by Singh assumes significance as chief minister Naveen Patnaik has convened a meeting of the Agriculture Cabinet to discuss the farmers’ issues.
However, refuting the allegations levelled by Singh, BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said the ruling BJD is so perturbed after Sahu’s suicide that their leaders are trying to cook up fake stories to defame the BJP.
“More than 4,000 farmers have committed suicide during the BJD rule due to their anti-farmers policies. Instead of initiating measures for their welfare, the minister is making irresponsible statements to save the face of their Government,” Purohit added.