In view of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has written a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi expressing concern over the problems of the farmers of the capital. He accused the Delhi government of indifference towards farmers and demanded implementation of the Centre’s schemes.
Responding sharply to this, Atishi took the BJP to task and called it an attempt to do politics on farmers.
Atishi’s counterattack: “BJP’s talk on farmers is like Dawood’s non-violence sermon”
AAP leader Atishi hit back at Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s letter and targeted BJP.
- “BJP talking about farmers is like David giving sermon on non-violence.”
- “The condition of farmers has never been as bad as it was during the BJP rule.”
- He advised BJP to stop politics on farmers.
Atishi also said that the BJP government has opened fire and lathicharged the farmers.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s letter: Serious allegations against Delhi government
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan made many serious allegations against the AAP government of Delhi in his letter.
- Indifference towards farmers:
- “The AAP government did not take any concrete steps in the interest of farmers.”
- Farmers in Delhi are not getting the benefits of the welfare schemes of the Centre.
- High electricity rates:
- Electricity rates in Delhi are extremely high for farmers.
- In the villages adjacent to Yamuna, electricity connections of irrigation equipment are being cut, posing a threat to their livelihood.
- Allegation of not implementing the Centre’s schemes:
- Shivraj wrote that the farmer-friendly schemes of the Center were stopped from being implemented in Delhi.
- Due to this, farmers are being deprived of the benefits of central government schemes.
Questions on your policies towards farmers
Shivraj Singh Chauhan raised sharp questions in the letter regarding the 10-year rule of the AAP government.
- “The then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and current Chief Minister Atishi did not take any meaningful steps for the farmers.”
- “The AAP government has only betrayed the farmers.”
Political rhetoric and electoral strategy
This war of words amid the election atmosphere in Delhi is making the political stance on the farmers’ issue clear.
- BJP’s strategy:
- Putting the policies of AAP government in the dock by raising the issues of farmers.
- Your response:
- BJP accused of doing politics on farmers and making them victims of oppression.
What are the real issues?
- Centre’s Schemes:
- Implementation of schemes like Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi in Delhi.
- Electricity Rates:
- Farmers need cheap electricity for irrigation.
- Livelihood crisis:
- Crops drying up and livelihoods at risk due to disconnection of irrigation equipment connections.
