Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has launched a sharp accusation and emotionally charged attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that he is “lying to farmers” about the Union government’s stance on maize imports. Addressing reporters with visible intensity, Joshi claimed that the Chief Minister was misleading the public for political mileage, despite knowing the actual reasons behind the temporary import considerations. He argued that the State government must stop shifting blame and instead acknowledge its failure to protect farmers from falling prices. According to Joshi, the CM’s statements are aimed at escaping responsibility rather than addressing the economic distress faced in rural markets.
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Pralhad Joshi has launched a strong attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the State government is misleading farmers by blaming the Centre for the sharp fall in maize prices. Joshi claimed that the Chief Minister is “lying to protect his government’s failures,” accusing him of deliberately twisting facts regarding maize import policies. His remarks have triggered a fierce political battle, adding a new layer of tension to Karnataka’s ongoing agricultural crisis.
FARMERS CAUGHT BETWEEN POLITICAL CLAIMS
At the heart of the conflict is the plight of maize growers struggling with low market rates that have fallen below production costs. Many farmers say political blame games offer them no solution on the ground. While both the State and Centre claim to protect farmers’ interests, neither has announced an immediate relief mechanism that directly stabilises prices. Farmer organisations argue that procurement delays, limited storage facilities and lack of market support have created a desperate situation. As a result, many maize growers are selling their produce at throwaway prices to avoid further losses.
The political tussle has intensified as farmer groups demand concrete action rather than statements. Leaders of these organisations insist that endless accusations between the BJP and Congress will not bring relief to rural communities facing financial crisis. They say farmers are becoming victims of political agendas, with each party using their distress to gain moral advantage. For many growers, the debate over maize imports, duties or statements by leaders means little compared to the immediate burden of debt and market uncertainty.
CALL FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND FACT-BASED CLARITY
Joshi has called on Siddaramaiah to present evidence showing that the Centre allowed large-scale maize imports without restrictions. He insisted that fabrications aimed at provoking anger among farmers are irresponsible and harmful. According to him, the State government must first acknowledge administrative lapses before pointing fingers at New Delhi. Meanwhile, Congress leaders argue that the Centre has failed to safeguard Indian farmers by not tightening import regulations during peak harvest seasons. The dispute has now evolved into a broader debate on policy transparency and accountability.
Policymakers are now under pressure to act before the situation worsens. Karnataka’s maize sector plays a crucial role in livestock feed industries, poultry production and rural employment. Economists warn that sustained low prices will lead to reduced acreage next year, potentially triggering shortages and further instability in the supply chain. If political disputes delay decisions, they caution that both farmers and industries dependent on maize will face long-term consequences, affecting the State’s overall food and economic security.
As the dispute continues, what farmers want most is not political rhetoric but practical solutions. Many are calling for a joint declaration by the State and Centre that commits to coordinated market intervention, clear import policies and transparent procurement strategies. Until such collaborative action is taken, the maize crisis remains unresolved, and rural communities remain frustrated by leaders who seem more focused on accusations than action. The coming days will determine whether the government responds to farmers’ needs or continues the cycle of blame.
Joshi stated that the issue of maize import has been portrayed inaccurately by Siddaramaiah to create an impression that the Centre is acting against farmers’ interests. He emphasized that any import decision is taken after assessing shortages, price movements, and national buffer needs. In this case, Joshi argued, there is substantial evidence that procurement was not managed effectively within Karnataka, causing sudden market drops that hurt farmers. He asserted that instead of admitting administrative lapses, the State leadership has chosen to attack the Union government with half-truths. This, he said, only deepens mistrust among farmers who rely on accurate information in critical market periods.
Across agricultural belts such as Haveri, Dharwad, and Belagavi, farmer groups have expressed anger over falling maize prices, saying the market crash has undermined their seasonal income. Joshi accused Siddaramaiah of exploiting this frustration by distorting facts and blaming the Union government. He said the Chief Minister must remember that farmers assess credibility through action, not slogans. According to him, farmers know that procurement delays, payment issues, and lack of warehousing are State subjects. Joshi added that if the government had ensured faster procurement and better storage support, the crisis would not have reached this level. He insisted that misleading farmers is the worst form of betrayal.
BJP leaders have rallied behind Joshi, reinforcing his claim that the Chief Minister is attempting to divert attention from his own shortcomings. They argue that the State government’s crop surveys were inaccurate and failed to estimate the actual yield, resulting in a mismatch between projected requirements and real-time market arrivals. Joshi stated that when the administration does not have accurate data, it is unreasonable to blame the Centre for exploring import-based stabilization options. He said Siddaramaiah’s criticism lacks honesty and is driven by political necessity rather than economic understanding. In his view, the CM’s statements are designed to shield the government from accountability.
High Command Pressures, Agricultural Realities, and the Politics of Blame
Joshi expressed concern that the State is knowingly engaging in emotional politics instead of examining why its procurement agencies were unprepared. He said Karnataka’s internal contradictions, budgetary lapses, and mismanagement of storage capacities have all contributed to farmers’ financial distress. According to him, Siddaramaiah chose to speak publicly against maize imports without presenting any factual documentation. Joshi argued that the Chief Minister must stop spreading narratives that create panic and confusion among farmers. He reiterated that the Centre’s objective is to ensure national price stability, not punish Karnataka’s cultivators. He said leaders must speak responsibly, especially when farmers are grappling with market uncertainty.
The BJP leader said that the Chief Minister’s statements were creating unnecessary hostility between State and Union authorities at a time when coordination is essential. He noted that agriculture often depends on joint responsibility, and any breakdown in communication harms farmers first. Joshi added that misleading accusations distort the policy space, making cooperation harder. He stated that such narratives weaken the trust required between governments to implement support measures like procurement drives, storage expansion, transportation subsidies, and market interventions. He emphasized that political blame games are never helpful, particularly in moments when farmers require unified responses and quick decisions that can stabilize prices.
Farmer organizations in certain regions have demanded clearer explanations from the State government, asking why procurement centres were not opened on time and why payments were delayed in several districts. Joshi pointed out that these concerns are being overshadowed by political rhetoric aimed at the Centre. According to him, if the State government had addressed these operational issues early, the maize market would not have been vulnerable to sudden fluctuations. He argued that farmers deserve transparency, not politically-filtered statements. He said many rural communities now want evidence that the State did everything possible before shifting responsibility to others. He believes this growing skepticism is a result of the CM’s unclear messaging.
Economists observing the situation argue that Karnataka’s agricultural markets are particularly sensitive to administrative lapses because farmers operate within tight financial margins. Delays in procurement, inconsistent market arrivals, and unstable storage systems all contribute to sharp price variations. Joshi has urged the Chief Minister to focus on strengthening these systems rather than engaging in political accusations. He stated that stability cannot be restored through speeches alone; it requires concrete administrative actions. He warned that the longer the government relies on blame-shifting, the more farmers will suffer from price uncertainty. He called on Siddaramaiah to approach the issue with sincerity rather than political defensiveness.
Farmers’ Voices, Policy Gaps, and the Path Forward
Farmer leaders across the northern districts have demanded that both governments stop arguing and present a unified policy response. Many say they do not care who is responsible, but they want immediate assurance of stable prices. Joshi argued that the State government should listen to this sentiment instead of fueling political tension. He said that farmers understand the ground realities better than any political leader and can easily distinguish between genuine concern and political theatre. According to him, this is not the time for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make sweeping allegations without presenting official data, because misinformation in rural markets spreads quickly and damages trust.
Another key concern raised by Joshi is the State’s failure to coordinate with central agricultural boards regarding expected yield and procurement volumes. He said the Centre did not receive clear forecasts from Karnataka, which contributed to the need for alternative planning. Joshi insisted that the Centre was forced to evaluate import options because Karnataka provided inconsistent or delayed data about crop coverage and output. He argued that instead of blaming the Union government, Siddaramaiah should take responsibility for administrative gaps. He emphasized that the political narrative must shift from accusations to accountability if the government wants to regain credibility among rural communities.
Several agricultural experts believe that the situation could still be stabilised if the State introduces swift corrective measures. They point out that timely procurement, decentralized market access, and direct transport-support schemes can help farmers recover from sudden price contractions. Joshi agrees with this view and said the State must put these mechanisms into action immediately. He argued that Siddaramaiah must stop focusing on political arguments and instead take practical steps to resolve the farmers’ distress. According to him, leadership must be demonstrated through action and efficiency, not accusations. He said the government’s ability to protect farmers will be judged by outcomes, not statements.
BJP leaders supporting Joshi have pushed for a joint meeting between State and Centre to avoid further disruptions in the maize market. They believe that Siddaramaiah’s repeated public accusations against the Union government have hardened attitudes and slowed down cooperation. Joshi said this breakdown must be repaired before the situation worsens. He urged the Chief Minister to reconsider his approach and acknowledge the need for coordination. He reminded the State government that agriculture cannot be influenced by political pride; it requires steady collaboration. He said farmers deserve a practical framework that brings clarity, not political confrontations that deepen confusion in markets already under stress.
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