Rahul Gandhi is frustrated, telling lies: BJP

New Delhi, Feb 19: BJP on Friday accused Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi of telling "lies" after he attacked the government over the issues of price rise and farmers and claimed that the Modi government has provided complete protection to peasants.

The party also said the prices of eatables like pulses quoted by Gandhi was wrong and alleged that he was acting out of frustration due to "backlash" over his support to "anti-nationals" in the JNU row and the National Herald case.

"Congress governments exploited farmers for votes and did nothing for them. As a consequence, they became poorer with time. The Modi government has worked to provide them complete protection with its crop insurance scheme and other benefits," the party's national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

For the first time since independence such a comprehensive cover has been given to farmers, he said, citing details.

"Now any farmer can buy the crop insurance scheme by paying only 1.5-2 per cent of insured amount as premium instead of earlier 14-15 per cent. The government also relaxed criteria for receiving the damage for any crop less," he said.

Interacting with farmers at Amethi, Rahul had attacked the government over rising pulse prices and accused it of not doing anything for farmers, asserting that he will raise their issues in Parliament.

Taking a swipe, Sharma said, "He is out on bail in the Rs 5000 crore National Herald case. There is also a backlash over his support to anti-nationals in the JNU case. He is frustrated and due to this speaking lies."

There was a big difference between the actual prices of commodities and what were quoted by Rahul, he said. Sharma also referred to Mudra project and insurance and pension schemes started by the government for the benefit of the poor and farmers.

PTI