BJP has demanded that Delhi government pay Rs 5 crore as compensation to the kin of the farmer who hung himself at a rally attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal even as it claimed that AAP leaders had made no attempt to prevent the tragedy.
"The chief minister failed in his basic duty of asking the hundreds of his party volunteers who were present to make an effort to climb the tree and save the farmer... On the other hand, he kept giving his speech," said Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay.
BJP alleged that for Kejriwal, the farmers' issue was nothing but an opportunity to make political capital.
"We demand Rs 5 crore compensation for the farmer's family from the Kejriwal government," Upadhyay said.
Gajendra Singh, a farmer from Rajasthan, today hung himself from a tree in full public view while Kejriwal was leading an Aam Aadmi Party rally at Jantar Mantar.
AAP leaders have accused the police of being mute spectators and doing nothing to save Singh.
A father of three hailing from Dausa in Rajasthan, Singh climbed a tree in Jantar Mantar and wrapped his 'gamcha' (towel) around his neck and tied it to a branch.
As police watched the whole drama, a couple of AAP workers climbed the tree and tried to rescue him, but by then the noose had throttled Singh, whose body hanged for a few moments before falling. He was rushed to the nearby RML Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
AAP leader Kumar Vishwas, who was at the rally, is said to have appealed to Singh to come down and also asked police to rescue the farmer.
