The BJP on Tuesday decided to burn effigy of Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy in front of all the block offices across the State on Wednesday against his false and fabricated statement regarding the suicide of Bargarh farmer Hadu Bagarti.
Though the saffron party had decided to resort to agitation on Tuesday, it was put on hold keeping in view the State mourning being observed as a mark of respect to the death of former lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray.
The BJP Krushak Morcha has called for the State-wide agitation accusing the Agriculture Minister and the State Government of being insensitive towards the farmer community and misleading the Assembly.
The BJP would burn Maharathy’s effigy protesting against his alleged fabricated information in the Assembly over farmer Hadu Bagarti’s suicide.
The Minister had told the Assembly that Bagarti committed suicide due to quarrel with his wife Kala Bagarti. This triggered sharp criticism not only from opposition parties but also from the deceased farmer’s wife Kala Bagarti.
Kala Bagarti told reporters that no Government officials visited her to inquire about the death of Hadu and she questioned the authenticity of the Minister’s statement. She said Hadu had committed suicide due to crop loss.