In a pointed address at an event in Shirdi, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized certain political figures, implicitly referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, for exploiting the cause of farmers for political gain.
Modi emphasized his government’s unwavering commitment to farmer welfare, underscoring the direct transfer of Minimum Support Price (MSP) funds into farmers’ bank accounts as a transformative step.
The Prime Minister, inaugurating multiple developmental projects in the temple town of Shirdi, lamented the politicization of farmer issues by some individuals in Maharashtra.
While refraining from naming Pawar directly, Modi questioned the tangible contributions made by leaders who held significant agricultural portfolios, such as Pawar during the UPA government’s tenure from 2004 to 2014.
Modi highlighted the historical plight of farmers who were left vulnerable to middlemen under previous administrations. He underscored the delays and uncertainties farmers faced in receiving their due payments.
Contrasting this, he emphasized his government’s proactive approach, ensuring that MSP money is now directly credited to farmers’ bank accounts, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring timely financial support.
The speech underscored the government’s proactive stance in addressing longstanding issues faced by farmers, positioning direct financial transactions as a pivotal shift toward a more transparent and supportive agricultural ecosystem.