In a fiery response to BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s recent letter addressing the condition of farmers in Delhi, Congress leader Atishi launched a scathing attack on the ruling party. Atishi accused Chouhan of misleading the public and attempting to divert attention from the real issues concerning farmers, particularly in the context of the ongoing farmer protests and the agrarian distress in the region.
Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, had earlier written a letter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, expressing concern over the plight of farmers in the national capital. He criticized the Delhi government’s policies and alleged that the farmers were not receiving the necessary support. Chouhan's letter also raised concerns about the rising costs of agricultural inputs and the failure to address the financial difficulties faced by farmers in Delhi.
Atishi, however, sharply disagreed with Chouhan's views and lashed out at him during a press briefing. In a controversial remark, she compared BJP leaders’ approach to farmers’ issues with notorious figures like Dawood Ibrahim, accusing them of resorting to false narratives and dividing the country for political gain. She claimed that the BJP, instead of focusing on resolving the real problems faced by farmers, was using their plight as a political tool to malign opposition parties.
Atishi's comparison sparked a political storm, with BJP leaders hitting back, accusing her of making baseless and inflammatory statements. The Congress leader, however, defended her remarks, asserting that the BJP’s attempts to mislead the public were evident in their track record of ignoring the needs of farmers while focusing on media campaigns and public relations strategies.
The war of words between Congress and BJP over the condition of farmers is not new, but Atishi’s latest comments have added a fresh layer of controversy to the ongoing political discourse. The Congress has been a vocal critic of the BJP's handling of farmers’ issues, especially following the controversial farm laws that were repealed last year after mass protests. The BJP, on the other hand, has accused opposition parties of politicizing the farmers' issue for electoral gain.
