‘BJP Govts Have Failed Farmers, Let Their Conditions Deteriorate’
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari has outlined several issues that are severely affecting cultivators. He pointed to fertiliser shortages, disruptions in procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and a lack of essential materials like gunny bags (Image: AFP)
The Congress on Tuesday sharply criticised the BJP-led governments in Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre, accusing them of failing farmers and allowing their conditions to deteriorate. The party also issued a warning of a major agitation, saying it would support a blockade of the Agra-Mumbai National Highway if the concerns of cultivators are not addressed promptly.
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari described the situation as deeply troubling and “ironic,” pointing out that Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hails from the state. “The country’s agriculture minister comes from Madhya Pradesh, yet the worst atrocities are being committed against farmers here,” Patwari said while addressing the ‘Kisan Aakrosh Satyagraha’ in Budhni in Sehore district.
He alleged that farmers across the state are facing mounting hardships and systemic neglect. According to Patwari, the issues go beyond isolated grievances and reflect a broader failure of governance. “Farmers are being pushed to the brink. There is injustice at every level,” he said, accusing both the state and central governments of ignoring ground realities.
Warning of escalation, Patwari said the Congress would stand firmly with farmers if their demands continue to be ignored. “If this injustice does not stop immediately, we will join farmers in blocking the Agra-Mumbai National Highway on 7 May,” he said. The proposed blockade is expected to cover a long stretch of the highway, from Sendhwa to Gwalior, potentially disrupting a key transport corridor.
Patwari outlined several issues that, he claimed, are severely affecting cultivators. He pointed to fertiliser shortages, disruptions in procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and a lack of essential materials like gunny bags. “Farmers are struggling even to sell their produce properly. There are shortages everywhere,” he said.
He also raised concerns about alleged land grabbing by mafias, claiming that vulnerable farmers are being targeted. “Land mafias are active, and farmers are not being protected,” he alleged, adding that such developments have further deepened rural distress.
Criticising the state government’s “Farmer Welfare Year 2026” campaign, Patwari dismissed it as superficial. “This is nothing but advertisements. On the ground, farmers are still burdened with debt and getting poor returns,” he said, suggesting a gap between official claims and reality.
He also questioned the pricing of wheat procurement, alleging that farmers are not receiving the promised rates. “The government promised Rs 2,700 per quintal for wheat, but farmers are getting only Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200,” he said, calling it a betrayal of assurances made to cultivators.
Taking aim at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Patwari said that claims of rising farm incomes do not reflect the actual situation. “They talk about increasing farmers’ income, but even in Sehore, which is the home district of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, farmers are suffering,” he said.
Emphasising that the issue transcends political boundaries, Patwari framed it as a matter of national importance. “This is beyond politics. This is about patriotism and respect for those who feed the nation,” he said. He added that the Congress would continue to raise the issue at every level. “We will fight for farmers from the streets to Parliament,” he asserted.
The BJP, however, strongly rejected these allegations and accused the Congress of hypocrisy. Party spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said the opposition lacked credibility on the issue of farmers’ welfare. “The Congress has no moral right to speak on farmers,” he said, countering Patwari’s claims.
Chaturvedi also criticised the Congress for its past record, arguing that it had failed to deliver meaningful support to farmers when in power. “This is the same Congress that could not ensure MSP, crop insurance, irrigation, or electricity during its rule,” he said.
Defending the current administration, he claimed that farmers in Madhya Pradesh are in a better position today. “Farmers are benefiting from government schemes, and their condition has improved. The Congress cannot digest that,” he added.
The exchange highlights a growing political confrontation over the issue of farm distress in Madhya Pradesh. With the Congress threatening a highway blockade and the BJP pushing back against the allegations, tensions appear set to rise in the coming days.
As the situation unfolds, the proposed protest on 7 May could become a flashpoint, testing both the government’s response and the opposition’s ability to mobilise support. For now, the debate remains sharply divided, with both sides invoking farmers’ welfare while presenting starkly different narratives on the ground reality.
