Both the Cong and BJP accuse each other of remembering farmers only for votes; who is true?

The electoral war cry between the BJP and the Congress is getting only shriller: The latest point of contention is which party has done more for the welfare of villagers, farmers and the poor. With the last sitting of the 17th Lok Sabha behind us and the announcement of election dates likely anytime soon, both the sides are sharpening their attack on each other and portraying themselves as the real benefactor of the marginalised classes. It all started with the Congress making a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government, accusing them of neglecting the welfare of rural communities, the impoverished and farmers, except during election season. In his counterattack, the Prime Minister touted the Congress' record on rural development and agricultural reforms. The party remembers farmers only at the time of elections, was Modi's charge. The Congress, one of the principal Opposition forces, has a long history of championing the cause of marginalised sections of society. However, the BJP has made inroads into its territory and the Congress' grip on its core support base has loosened. To support its stand, the BJP argues that initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which provides direct income support to farmers, demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of rural communities. However, to regain lost ground, the Congress has been vocal in criticising the BJP's farm policies, including the three Bills which were later withdrawn amid huge protests.

With a massive farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' rally scheduled today, the Congress is again accusing Modi of paying lip service to these constituencies while failing to deliver meaningful change. Though the latest salvo seems timed with the poll dates announcement, the Congress' criticism of the Modi Government's approach to rural and agrarian issues is not new. It has long accused the BJP of pursuing a development agenda that prioritises the urban elite and big business interests over the needs of the rural poor. However, with elections on the horizon, the rhetoric has reached fever pitch. Amid mounting agrarian distress, farmers across the country are protesting against contentious reforms introduced by the Modi Government. The protesters are demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The Congress leaders have seized upon this discontent to launch a blistering attack on the Government, alleging that the BJP's pro-corporate policies have exacerbated inequality and widened the gap between the rich and the poor; thousands of farmers still commit suicide every year. The parties may accuse each other of ignoring farmer welfare but the fact is that no one has done enough for the farmers. Their demands may again go unheard today; the bitter truth is everyone remembers farmers only for their votes.