Center's farmer programs are being blocked by the Delhi government: Union Minister to Atishi

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has escalated the political confrontation with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi through a strongly-worded letter addressed to Chief Minister Atishi. Chouhan accused the AAP administration of consistently blocking the implementation of farmer-friendly schemes introduced by the Central Government and failing to act in the best interests of farmers in the national capital. He also alleged that Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister and AAP's key leader, had deceived farmers with unfulfilled promises throughout his decade-long tenure.

In the letter written in Hindi, Chouhan outlined his grievances against the AAP government, claiming that it had displayed little regard for the welfare of farmers and had prioritized political narratives over meaningful action. He asserted that the administration's decisions have been detrimental to farmers in Delhi, stating:

"You have never made appropriate decisions in the interest of farmers in Delhi. The farmer-friendly schemes of the Central Government have also been prevented from being implemented in Delhi by your government. Your government has no sympathy for farmers."

Chouhan reserved harsh criticism for Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of making lofty promises during election campaigns to secure votes but failing to deliver on those commitments once in power. He described Kejriwal's leadership approach as one that focused on "crying about problems" instead of taking proactive decisions that could benefit the public, particularly farmers. He added:

"For the last 10 years, AAP has been in power in Delhi but it has always seemed that former Chief Minister Shri Kejriwal has only cheated the farmer brothers and sisters and has taken political advantage of them by making big announcements before the elections. As soon as Shri Kejriwal came to power, he has always cried about his problems instead of taking decisions in the public interest."

The Union Minister also underscored the "matter of concern" that the AAP government has not resolved longstanding issues faced by farmers in Delhi. He urged the state administration to set aside political competition and prioritize farmers' welfare. Chouhan emphasized that cooperation between state and central governments is essential for addressing farmers' challenges and highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Central Government to support the agricultural community.

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of crop insurance schemes with an overall outlay of ₹69,515 crore, alongside an increase in the subsidy for a key fertilizer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described these measures as the government's first major decision of the year, dedicated to the nation's farmers. Chouhan mentioned these developments in his letter to underline the Central Government's commitment to agriculture.

"Political competition should not become an obstacle to farmers' welfare. Farmers' welfare is the duty of every government, irrespective of the party it belongs to. You should rise above party politics and take decisions in the interest of the farmers. You should provide relief to the farmers of Delhi by implementing the schemes of the Central Government," Chouhan wrote, stressing the need for collaboration over confrontation.

The allegations come amid heightened political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AAP, with both parties vying for influence in Delhi's governance. The AAP government has yet to issue a formal response to Chouhan's letter, but the accusations are likely to further fuel the ongoing debates about the effectiveness of state and central policies in addressing farmers' issues. Observers are watching closely to see how this confrontation evolves, particularly given its potential implications for broader political alignments and public perception in the run-up to upcoming elections.