NEW DELHI:
BJP expects the cabinet decision approving rise in
MSP for Kharif crops, amounting to 50% over costs, to help it retain support of
rural voters in the approaching assembly and
Lok Sabha elections even as more long-terms measures take time to kick in. With the need to urgently address farm discontent after the closely fought
Gujarat polls in December last year, it became apparent that the proposed hikes in MSP could have been considered even earlier.
The farm anger was not much about debts but lack of remunerative prices in times of higher production.
Concerned over farm distress turning into a damaging narrative, BJP welcomed the hiked MSPs announced by the government on Wednesday with PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah leading the party in underlining the Centre’s commitment towards boosting farm income.
Though food production is increasing, the relatively low returns in agriculture, accentuated by a comparison with urban standards, has become a sore point. The higher proportion of people dependent on agriculture despite its declining share in GDP has increased discontent and spread out rise in incomes more thinly.
This was the second occasion in recent weeks when the party was involved in a “buzz” after BJP observed the anniversary of Emergency on June 26 highlighting excesses by Congress and countering the main opposition’s ‘intolerance’ jibe at the ruling party.