The JDU on Wednesday accused the Centre of neglecting India's farmers and being more concerned about farmers of other countries.

Spokesperson Niraj Kumar said the JDU has documents that suggest Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about India's commitment to purchase pulses from Mozambique for meeting its requirements.

The party, led by Nitish Kumar, has claimed that the central government's policy of promoting pulse cultivation in foreign countries was hurting India's pulse growers, who have been forced to opt for distress sale.

Niraj also quoted from a TV interview in which Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Ram Vilas Paswan purportedly justified the import of pulses from Mozambique and Myanmar in the name of keeping pulse prices in the country under control.

"India has entered into an agreement with Mozambique and Myanmar for cultivation of pulses in these countries," said Niraj. "It shows the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues, Radha Mohan Singh and Paswan, work for the cause of farmers of other countries instead of promoting the cause of Indian farmers."

Senior BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav rubbished the charge. "The Narendra Modi government is continuously working for the cause of farmers due to which the farming community is extending its support to the Centre," he said. "Our political opponents have become nervous sensing the farmers' mood and hence they are levelling charges which are not based on facts."

The JDU has shared with The Telegraph copies of Paswan's interview clip from last year and the Prime Minister's statement which he gave in 2016 about Mozambique.

Niraj substantiated his charge with pulse import figures and cited the example of import of tur dal. In 2014-15, tur dal worth Rs 382 crore was imported from Mozambique and for Rs 524 crore in 2015-16. Tur dal worth Rs 1,388 crore was imported from Myanmar in 2014-15, he claimed, with the figure jumping to Rs 1,527 crore in 2015-16. The faulty policy of the Centre had led to slump in pulse prices in India, he added, leading to pulse growers not getting the cost price for their produce.

Niraj also launched a frontal attack at Paswan - the LJP chief - accusing him to be a political leader bent on hurting the farming community. "Earlier, Paswan ji used to include persons in his party who used to behead people. Now, he himself is promoting such a policy which was like beheading the farmers of the country," he said, referring to leaders in the LJP with alleged criminal antecedents.