A sharp political clash has erupted in Gujarat over the agrarian situation in the drought-prone Saurashtra region, with the opposition Congress launching a blistering attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government over farm distress, power shortages, and irrigation deficiencies, while the state government firmly rejected the claims as misleading and politically motivated.
Senior Congress leader and party high-command representative Randeep Singh Surjewala raised serious concerns regarding erratic rainfall patterns and severe moisture stress affecting standing crops across rural Saurashtra. Surjewala demanded that the state administration officially declare drought-hit areas to facilitate immediate financial compensation packages and relief measures. Highlighting structural issues, he pointed to frequent power outages on agricultural feeders, asserting that farmers are unable to operate tube wells during critical crop cycles, while alleging that major irrigation projects like the Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation initiative remain incomplete at tail-end farms. Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to the farming sector, Patel highlighted the track record of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s administration and the central government. If genuine drought conditions arise anywhere, it is our government that will stand by the farmers and deliver relief.”
“Between 2016 and 2026, the BJP government has declared financial relief packages 16 to 17 times, including over 10,000 crore rupees disbursed during unseasonal rain events. Furthermore, the Centre has provided over 70,000 crore rupees to the state’s farmers under PM Kisan Nidhi, alongside our policy of providing zero-interest agricultural credit.
Expressing deep concern over the economic vulnerability of small and marginal farmers, the Congress leadership criticised rising input costs, mounting agricultural debts, and delays in crop insurance payouts.
