Shivraj Chouhan calling himself pro-farmer is farcical: Congress

The Congress on Friday took potshot at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleging that the leader's claim to be 'pro-farmer' is nothing but farcical.

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Every time I come here, I get to hear that Shivraj Chouhan calls himself pro-farmer for his work for the farmers in the state. He keeps on blowing his own trumpet for the so-called works he has done for the farmers in the state yet the state continues to suffer from severe agrarian crisis. His claim is nothing but farce," Surjewala said while addressing a press conference here.

Surjewala alleged that the data based on which the Madhya Pradesh government won the Krishi Karman Award earlier this year in March is also manipulated.

"The farmers' conditions have exposed the state government. It is the government of liars. The UPA government introduced the award in 2010 to improve the standard of farming and crop production across the country. The government blew its own trumpet, spent crores of money to showcase their hard work to win this award over the last five years. Perhaps, this is the first time in Independent India that the state government resorted to so many lies, manipulated data to win an award. This data they provided is completely manipulated," he added.

"If a government fools the farmers, youths and the citizens of this state so blatantly, my question is, do they deserve to remain in power in the state even for a day? It's surprising to see that the Chief Minister has been thoroughly involved in this conspiracy," Surjewala said.

The state legislative assembly elections will be held on November 28 to elect members of the 230 constituencies.