Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government for the increasing farmer suicides in the state. Ashoka questioned the government’s approach, citing a 22.61% rise in farmer suicides within a year, reaching 2,971 cases.
He highlighted the alleged failure of the state government’s anti-farmer policies, as indicated by the latest National Crime Records Bureau report. Ashoka pointed out the discrepancy in Karnataka’s rising farmer suicides compared to the decline in other states, questioning the administration’s effectiveness.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of prioritizing political matters over addressing the challenges faced by farmers. He criticized the government for spending significant amounts on advertisements for guarantee schemes while farmers grapple with issues like crop loss, debt, and water scarcity, leading to a tragic increase in suicides.
According to the NCRB report, Karnataka ranked second in the country for farmer deaths, a stark contrast to the decreasing national trend. Ashoka warned that a government built on farmers’ hardships would not endure, emphasizing the need for genuine solutions over mere political gestures.
