Dead man walking: Karnataka government ad backfires
22 Dec 2010
This may sound funny, although it is no joke. Karnataka's B S Yeddyurappa-led government had egg on its face after depicting an apparently happy and prosperous farmer in an ad meant to highlight the state government's achievements – only to find that the farmer had committed suicide because he was unable to repay his debts!
The BJP of course withdrew the ad on Tuesday, and apologised to the family of the late farmer, B H Nagaraju.
A native of Babaurayanakoppalu village some 80 km from Bangalore, Nagaraju had killed himself back on 27 May 2009. His family was shocked to see his face in the BJP's poll ads.
In the full-colour ad (issued at public expense) Nagaraj, is seen holding sugarcane and a sickle, smilingly talking of his fortune changing after the BJP government took over in Karnataka. The ad was part of the party's campaign for the panchayat elections scheduled for later this month.
His family members claimed Nagaraju committed suicide after he was caught in a debt trap. He is survived by his parents, wife Lakshmi and children Bhavya and Umesh. His father Hanumegowda said his family did not own any land and his son was an agricultural labourer. His daily wages weren't adequate to support the family.
"He died one and a half year ago. Our relatives are coming and asking if he is still alive," says Bhavya, his daughter.