150 MP farmers have committed suicide in 11 months: BJP leader

The Madhya Pradesh BJP on Monday claimed 150 farmers had committed suicide in the last 11 months in the state, including 72 between January and July this year after the Congress' Kamal Nath government took over.

BJP Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava told reporters farmers' plight in the state was worrisome and several of them were not getting seeds, manure or crop loans.

"According to data gathered by us, 150 farmers have committed suicide in last 11 months after the Congress came to power in Madhya Pradesh in December. A total of 72 farmers committed suicide in seven months between January and July this year," Bhargava said.

This was told in the last session of the MP Assembly, he added.

Bhargava said ryots (tenant farmers) were not getting loans from cooperative societies due to rampant financial mismanagement in these institutions.

"The Kamal Nath government should provide relief to farmers who suffered crop loss due to heavy rains in MP. The Congress government should stop blaming the Centre over funds," Bhargava said.

He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had announced during the MP Assembly poll campaign that loans of farmers of upto Rs 2 lakh would be written off within 10 days of his party coming to power, but only a small number of waivers had taken place so far.

Bhargava said his party would hold protests to ensure farmers get relief.