Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the condition of farmers in Karnataka, and gave him an ‘F’ grade for his performance in the agricultural sector in the poll-bound state.
The Congress chief, in a tweet, said the prime minister's crop insurance scheme - Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) - has made the farmers "suffer" while filling the coffers of the private insurance companies that have made "huge profits".
Gandhi said that the farmers did not receive the additional 50 per cent on their Minimum Support Price (MSP) that they have been demanding.
"Contribution to Congress state governments 8,500 crore Farm Loan waiver = 0 Rs.
"PM's crop insurance scheme: Farmers suffer; pvt (private) insurance companies make huge profits.
"No MSP+50%, for Karnataka farmers. Grade = F" (Sic)
Rahul's tweet came a day after the Prime Minister held Karnataka's Siddaramaiah Government responsible for the grim condition of the farmers in the state.
Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday trained guns at the ruling Congress Government in Karnataka and accused it of not letting the benefits of 'Fasal Bima Yojna' reach the farmers.
While addressing Kisan Morcha Karyakartas of Karnataka through Narendra Modi (NaMo) App, he further said that a change in the government is needed to bring changes in the farmer's condition.
The attack came ahead of polling for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, to be held on May 12. The results will be declared on May 15.
Both Modi and Gandhi are scheduled to address separate public rallies in the state on Thursday.
While the prime minister will address rallies in Kalaburagi, Ballari and Bengaluru, Gandhi will join the Congress' Jana Ashirwada Yatre, which will continue till Friday.
