Chief Minister M.K. Stalin sharply criticized Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami regarding the ongoing distress faced by delta region farmers due to heavy rains affecting crop harvests.
In a post shared on social media, Stalin highlighted the plight of farmers who, despite hard work and abundant water in reservoirs, suffered significant losses as paddy grains sprouted prematurely due to excessive rainfall.
He condemned Palaniswami for engaging in “highly intellectual” political attacks rather than addressing farmersâ real issues, accusing him of betraying the agricultural community by politicizing their suffering without understanding the facts.
Stalin explained that the current government had increased the number of procurement centers for paddy in anticipation of the harvest, but the unseasonal rains forced farmers to harvest early, damaging the crop.
He disclosed that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting an increase in the permissible moisture level of paddy grain from 14% to 22%, a request that the central government had rejected.
He accused Palaniswami of making baseless accusations like âwhy didnât farmers harvest early,â labeling such remarks as shallow and a betrayal of the farmers who had toiled hard in the fields.
Stalin urged the people of Tamil Nadu to stand united in supporting farmersâ welfare, emphasizing that the farmers’ effort should not go to waste, likening their sacrifice to precious blood and sweat.