Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Biju Mahila Janata Dal president and Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallick Wednesday sparked another controversy by stating that no farmer in the state has committed suicide because of crop loss.
Mallick has earlier been embroiled in controversy over her “Amar ladoo” remark, which led to the ruling party drawing flak from the opposition, including the Congress and the BJP. BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had then reportedly asked Mallick to refrain from making such statements on this sensitive issue.
“Whenever someone dies because of disease or any personal problem, they (the Opposition) dub it farmer suicide without knowing the exact cause of the death. Instead of branding all deaths as farmer suicides, the BJP and Congress should ask the Centre to extend support to the state,” she said.
The Congress criticised the statement. “Such statements are not expected from Mallick, who is a senior leader of the ruling party and a former minister. It is grossly unfortunate and disrespectful,” said Congress MLA Naba Kishore Das.
The Congress leader wondered how the party president and other senior BJD leaders are tolerating such statements and said it shows that the state government is not bothered about the farmers’ community.
The BJP also slammed the former minister’s statement. “Mallick, who was once a minister in the BJD government, is making such careless statements on farmer deaths, which is extremely unfortunate. Instead of making such crude remarks, she should try to help the farmers,” BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said.
However, BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena said, “We should not misunderstand her (Mallick). She is saying that though those who have committed suicide belong to the farmers’ community, they have not died due to crop loss or loan burden.”
“Whoever it may be, the death of any person is unfortunate,” Jena maintained.