Siddaramaiah scorches 'coward' BC Patil for remarks on farmers; slams BJP for Farm laws

Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah called state Agriculture Minister BC Patil a 'coward' for passing inappropriate remarks against farmers who committed suicides and labelled him as a person who sold his soul for money.

BC Patil, on Thursday, referred to farmers committing suicides as cowards during an dress at Ponnampet in Kodagu district and clarified later that he was referring to those who took ir lives as cowards and t farmers. Siddaramaiah targetted BJP over Farm Laws and claimed that saffron party was suppressing voice of farmers who were protesting for justice. 

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Siddaramaiah calls BC Patil a coward

Taking to Twitter, ex-Karnataka CM took on BC Patil and claimed that it was BJP which was attempting to enforce destructive laws that will le farmers to commit suicide. senior Congress leer went on to claim that BJP government was using water canns, tear gas and lathis to silence farmers who were protesting.  ex-CM claimed that neir BJP-led governments at both Centre & state provided compensation to farmers who lost ir lives due to rains and floods. Furr, Siddaramaiah accused BC Patil of selling his soul for money and said that he h right to continue as minister after speaking ill about farmers. 

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BC Patil sparks controversy

Speaking to farmers at Ponnampet, BC Patil was giving an anecdote of his interaction with a farmer woman who wore 'nice' gold bangles & said that woman purchased bangles after toiling as a farmer for 35 years. He went on cite ly's example as a reason for farmers to t commit suicide and stressed that farmers who couldn't look after ir families were cowards and that y should 'live and achieve'. 

"This ly was wearing nice gold bangles. I asked her, where did bangles come from? You look like you have a lot of money. Do you kw what she said? She said 'this soil, I have worked hard in this soil for 35 years.' 'This mor gave me gold,' she said. Doesn't that make you happy? Today farmers who are committing suicide- this is response to m. Farmers who commit suicide are cowards. A coward who cant look after his wife and children commits suicide. He should live and achieve. true farmer should commit suicide. That ly is an example. If a woman can achieve so much, why can't ors?", BC Patil said while dressing farmers at Ponnampet on Thursday. 

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'Never said farmers are cowards': Patil says only those who commit suicide are

However, BC Patil later clarified that his 'cowards' remark was directed at those who committed suicide, and t farmers. Calling farmers backbone of nation, state Agriculture Minister said that it was government's job to look after farmers and ensure that y do t take such drastic steps. He also cited history to reiterate his claim that those who committed suicide were cowards. Furr, Patil also went on to say that he spoke about farmers as he held respective portfolio and ruled out possibility of apologizing for his remarks. minister said that it was intention of BJP-led state government to help farmers le good lives and that government was working towards it. 

"I reiterate, I said whoever commits suicide is a coward. I never said that farmers are cowards. Farmers are backbone of nation.  government has to look after farmers and ensure y don't commit suicide. History says that committing suicide is cowardice. t just farmers whoever commits suicide is a coward. Being agriculture minister, I spoke about farmers. I have said farmers shouldn't commit suicide refore re is question of apology. I have said when we have fallen we have to swim and win, is it wrong. Farmers have to live a good life that's our intention, for that we are doing our work", BC Patil clarified on his initial statement speaking to reporters later on Thursday. 

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