PM Narendra Modi sported a green stohl, a symbol associated with farmer activism in Karnataka, at the BJP rally in Davangere. Photo: PTIDavangere (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued with his party’s efforts to woo the state’s over 7 million farmers ahead of Karnataka elections, listing recently launched government agricultural initiatives at a farmers’ rally on Tuesday. Modi cited increased minimum support prices (MSPs), efforts to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 and crop insurance in defence of his government’s record on agriculture. Heading into elections, national leaders of both the BJP and Congress have increased their frequency to poll-bound Karnataka, trying to mobilize support ahead of elections due this year. The BJP has claimed that over 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka since 2013.

Source: Mint February 28, 2018 00:22 UTC