Kharge’s Remarks Against PM Modi Reflect Congress’ Declining Political Culture: Karnataka BJP Leader R. Ashoka

Speaking in Bengaluru, Ashoka said making derogatory remarks about the family of a person holding the country’s highest constitutional office was inappropriate. He alleged that the Congress, unable to challenge its opponents through political arguments, was resorting to personal attacks.

Ashoka said voters would not accept what he described as uncivilised politics.

BJP Leader Targets Karnataka Government Over Sugarcane Protests

Ashoka also criticised the Karnataka government over the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers, accusing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of misleading growers. He described the proposed meetings with farmers in Belagavi as an attempt to pacify them without addressing their concerns.

The BJP leader demanded that the state fix the price of sugarcane at Rs 5,500 per tonne and take steps to prevent alleged irregularities in weighing practices and recovery calculations at sugar factories.

He further alleged that the Congress government had failed to deliver on an earlier promise of Rs 2,500 in relief to drought-affected farmers, despite announcing the assistance during a special session.

According to Ashoka, the government’s latest round of discussions with sugarcane growers would not resolve the agitation unless their demands were addressed.

Farmers have been protesting for better remuneration for sugarcane and greater transparency in recovery calculations used by sugar factories.

Ashoka Cites Centre’s Measures for Sugarcane Farmers

Defending the Centre’s role, Ashoka said the NDA government had formed a joint committee, headed by former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, to identify a lasting solution to the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers.

He also cited the Centre’s decision to set the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane at Rs 365 per quintal for the 2026–27 season. He added that the Centre had introduced a minimum support price (MSP) for sugar in 2018.

Ashoka accused the Karnataka government of shifting responsibility to the Centre rather than fulfilling its own commitments to farmers.

Referring to an announcement made on November 7 last year, he said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had declared a sugarcane price of Rs 3,300 per tonne, including a Rs 50 subsidy to be contributed by sugar factories.

Ashoka alleged that the state government had failed to ensure farmers received the additional contribution, even after sugar factories approached the court.

Allegations of Weighing Irregularities and Rising Costs

The BJP leader also alleged that discrepancies in weighing and recovery calculations at sugar factories were causing financial losses to growers. He claimed that different factories reported varying recovery rates for the same sugarcane and that inflated waste calculations further affected farmers’ earnings.

He criticised the state government for not introducing a State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane, a system followed in some other states.

Ashoka also raised concerns about electricity pricing and water charges affecting sugar factories. He claimed that private companies were paid Rs 22 per unit for electricity purchases, while the rate for electricity supplied by sugar factories was fixed at Rs 2.80 per unit.

He further alleged that water charges had increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore, adding to the financial burden on sugar factories.

Statewide Bandh Warning

Ashoka said farmers had warned of a statewide bandh on Tuesday if their demands were not met.

He urged Shivakumar to take immediate steps to address the growers’ concerns, warning that continued delays could intensify the agitation.

The allegations against the state government were made by Ashoka as the farmers’ protest continued. The government’s response to the specific claims was not included in the available statement.