On the face of it, it may appear a mere coincidence. But a gradual fall in the rate of farmers’ suicides in the crisis-hit Vidarbha region seems to have worked in favour of the UPA, particularly over the past five months. In fact in April, when Maharashtra voted, Vidarbha recorded the lowest number of suicides in its six troubled districts in the past 40 months — 49 people killed themselves.

In 2004, the Congress-NCP alliance was virtually routed here, winning only one of the 11 seats. This time, it has won five seats.

In contrast to popular perception, Vidarbha’s farms have been experiencing relief over the past three years, thanks to twin farm packages, good monsoons in successive years, Bt cotton sweep, good market, loan-waiver and most importantly, higher prices for cotton and other commodities. It has led to the suicide count in the six districts of Yavatmal, Amravati, Buldana, Akola, Washim and Wardha coming down from the peak 1,448 in 2006 to 1,139 in 2008, a drop of 309 deaths.

And in the first four months of 2009 alone, the drop has been huge — 139 over the same period last year. Although the loan waiver was announced a year ago, the fall in the suicide rates is being witnessed only now due to the contribution of the other factors mentioned above.

“The Manmohan Singh government really did very well for the farmers. Steps like loan-waiver and increase in farm commodity prices provided a lot of relief. The BJP clamour against it has been badly exposed,” said prominent farm activist Vijay Jawandhia.

... contd.