File photo of Narendra Modi
A 45-year-old farmer hanged himself in his home in Maharashtra's Beed district this morning.
Uddhav Nanabhau Tandale's death is the latest in a rash of suicides after unseasonal rain and hailstorms destroyed acres of crop across the state, a tragedy that has taken on political overtones ahead of next month's national election.
A pro-farmer group Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti claims that 32 farmers have killed themselves in the past three weeks, and there have been 10 deaths just in the past 48 hours, mainly in the Vidarbha and Marathawada regions.
On Thursday, farmer suicides will be the theme of Narendra Modi's 'Chai pe charcha' or discussion over tea campaign in the Vidarbha region, which has often been described as "suicide country."
Mr Modi, who is running for prime minister, will address a rally in Wardha before holding a "chai pe charcha" discussion at a village of debt-ridden farmers in the Yavatmal district. The BJP says Mr Modi will interact with farmers in 33 districts across India as part of the campaign.
Maharashtra's Congress-led coalition government has been floundering in the face of a severe farm crisis in the state over the past few months.
"I assure all my farmer brethren that we stand solidly behind you. I request that please don't be carried away by emotions or helplessness. We are doing our best to help you," said Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today. The state government has asked for Rs 5000 crores to help farmers.
The opposition Shiv Sena has accused the government of using the election code of conduct as an excuse for delaying a relief package for farmers.
The Chief Minister's appeal is significant after threats by farmers in Vidarbha to use the "None Of The Above" option while casting their votes in next month's election, if they don't receive help soon.