Bengaluru, May 19 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka had deliberately suppressed farmer suicide cases in the state and accused it of celebrating governance achievements while farmers continued to die in distress.

Addressing reporters at the Janata Dal (Secular) state office, JP Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy cited National Crime Records Bureau data and claimed that 2,423 farmers and agricultural labourers died by suicide in Karnataka in 2023, while another 2,971 deaths were reported in 2024.

â??In just two years, 5,394 farmers have lost their lives. Karnataka stands second in the country in farmer suicide cases. Is the government unaware of these figures, or is it intentionally suppressing them?â?? he questioned.

Kumaraswamy said he was shocked after reading a newspaper report highlighting the rise in farmer suicides and criticised the state government for allegedly ignoring the issue while organising large public conventions.

â??I expected the government to wake up after such reports appeared in newspapers. Instead, it is busy holding celebration conventions with no concern for farmersâ?? welfare,â?? he alleged.

Targeting the Congress governmentâ??s convention in Tumakuru marking three years in office, Kumaraswamy accused it of spending crores of rupees extravagantly while farmers were suffering.

â??This government has built a tomb over the lives of farmers and is showcasing its grandeur on top of it. Farmers are dying every day, while the government is celebrating in the name of guarantee schemes,â?? he said.

Questioning the effectiveness of the state governmentâ??s welfare guarantees, Kumaraswamy asked why farmers were continuing to commit suicide if the schemes were truly successful.

He further alleged that officials were being misused to mobilise crowds for the government event.

â??The government itself is bringing people to attend the convention. Officials have been given targets to gather crowds because people are not voluntarily attending Congress programmes,â?? he charged.

The Union Minister also criticised the functioning of the Revenue Department, alleging that farmers across the state continued to face serious problems despite the government publicising revenue-related initiatives during the convention.

â??They are now projecting a â??Land Guaranteeâ?? as the sixth guarantee scheme and seeking publicity. But the continuing farmer suicides expose the true state of governance,â?? he said.

Responding to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumarâ??s challenge over the proposed Bidadi Township project, Kumaraswamy said he was ready for a public debate anywhere.

â??I am prepared for a debate. Nearly 3,500 people in Bidadi have submitted objections and petitions. Farmers are allegedly being threatened by goons and police pressure. If the project was genuinely beneficial, farmers themselves would have willingly given their land,â?? he alleged.

Kumaraswamy said the government should act in farmers' interests and reconsider the project.

The Janata Dal (Secular) leader also announced that former Member of Legislative Assembly Akhanda Srinivas Murthy was likely to join the party soon.

Describing his visit to Murthyâ??s residence in Bengaluru earlier in the day as a courtesy visit, Kumaraswamy said discussions were held regarding strengthening the party organisation.

â??He is keen on joining the Janata Dal (Secular), and we will soon finalise a date for formally inducting him into the party,â?? he said.

Kolar Member of Parliament Mallesh Babu, Greater Bengaluru Janata Dal (Secular) President H.M. Ramesh Gowda, former Legislative Council member Chowdareddy Thoopalli, and several other leaders accompanied Kumaraswamy during the visit.

/IANS