In the 1998 state elections, a sharp spike in onion prices led to the fall of the BJP government in the capital New Delhi. In the 1980 general election, sky-high onion prices helped former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dislodge a coalition government that had included politicians who later formed the BJP. That may have been fine when crop prices were relatively high but as they crashed it has exposed the party in farm areas. POTATO PRICESIn Mujahidpur village of Uttar Pradesh, India's biggest potato growing state, farmers lamented that prices have dropped by 86 percent to 2,500 rupees a tonne. In Lasalgaon, the country's largest onion trading hub, most farmers are selling their produce at 2 rupees a kg.

Source: The Star December 28, 2018 01:41 UTC