BENGALURU, 27 JULY 

Accusing the ruling Congress of ‘failing’ Karnataka, State BJP President BY Vijayendra on Sunday urged the Siddaramaiah-led government to file a criminal case and take strict action against companies that are supplying fake seeds and fertilisers to farmers. He accused the State government of creating an “artificial shortage” of urea because of its “mismanagement”.

He also alleged that brokers and traders were holding stocks.

Vijayendra also said that the BJP’s farmers’ wing will hold a State-wide protest on Monday. “Companies supplying fertilisers and seeds are engaging in the despicable act of sabotaging agricultural activities by providing fake seeds to the enthusiastic farming community that is expecting a good harvest in the backdrop of a promising monsoon this time,” Vijayendra said on X.

He added that a police vigilance team should be formed to take strict action against the networks that cheat farmers.

The BJP Chief was responding to reports about fake seeds and fertilisers being supplied to farmers in some parts of the State, as farmers allege a shortage in the supply of urea. Speaking to the press later, he alleged that the State government was artificially creating a shortage, despite the central government having given sufficient quantities of urea to the State. At least 8,70,000 metric tonnes of urea were received by the State from the Centre, but only about 5,30,000 metric tonnes are available in the market.

“What about the rest? The fear is that somewhere there is some kind of hand-in-glove. Brokers and traders are keeping the stocks; it has to be released,” he said.