Former Tripura MP and CPM leader Jitendra Chaudhury on Wednesday asked the Centre whether they can waive off the taxes of farmers as they did for corporates.

Addressing a gathering following a joint rally of the All India Krishak Sabha and the Tripura Khet Mazdur Union here on Wednesday, Chaudhury said there has been a spurt in farmers’ suicide across the country soon after the BJP assumed office.

“The BJP is not concerned about farmers. The Centre can waive off corporate taxes but not that of farmers,” he added.

The rally, led by former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, was organised seeking fulfilment of a 12-point charter of demands.

The former MP said the economy in villages has collapsed since the BJP-IPFT alliance formed the government in Tripura.

“There are no jobs. Parents are selling their children to buy food. Farmers are forced to leave their families and go to far-off states in search of work. The entire agrarian infrastructure is in a pathetic condition,” Chowdhury said.

He also blamed the party for “not fulfilling its pre-poll promises which included providing 200 days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and increased wages of Rs 340.”

“No new scheme has started since the new government assumed office in the state. The Centre took several anti-people decisions and people have realised it,” he added.