Bhubaneswar, Nov. 12: The BJP and the Congress today reiterated their demand for an impartial probe into the farmer suicides across the state.

State BJP president K.V. Singh Deo and senior party leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan accused the state government of trying to suppress the truth regarding the suicides. "While the government is trying to ascribe different reasons such as family squabble behind the deaths, some of the ruling party leaders such as MPs Nagendra Pradhan and Pinaki Mishra have admitted to the fact that the farmers took the step under pressure of debt burden," said Singh Deo.

Refuting the allegations, a BJP leader said: "Real truth will come out if an impartial probe is conducted into the circumstances that led to the suicides."

Harichandan said that though according to the government about 43 farmers had committed suicide, so far unofficial sources put the number at 90.

"The government never admits that the reason behind the farmer suicide is crop loss or debt burden," rued the former law minister.

"The government should spell out who had been to the spot to conduct the inquiry and whether the district collectors had filed the reports based on field visits or have cited false reasons," said Harichandan.

The party leaders also demanded waiver of agricultural loan and Rs 10 lakh compensation to the deceased's families. They also demanded details about the disbursement of agricultural loan to farmers in the state by banks and co-operative lending institutions.

The party also sought stringent action against the private moneylenders and institutions.

Singh Deo said it was ridiculous on part of the state government to demand central assistance for drought relief without submitting any report on the crop damage. "The government should immediately submit its memorandum to the Centre, instead of resorting to false statements," he said.

The Congress, on the other hand, today held a convention of farmers at Nabarangpur protesting against the "anti-farmer policies" of the state government and its failure to arrest the suicides.

The convention led by former MP of Nabarangpur Pradip Majhi demanded adequate compensation for the family members of the deceased farmers.

The party had earlier staged demonstrations in all the 314 block headquarters across the state on November 6 over the issue of drought and farmer suicides.

In another development, a farmer killed himself at Ratanpur village. The deceased was identified as Shiv Shankar Singh. Family members alleged Singh ended his life after he failed to repay loans. Jugal Baghsingh, another farmer of Godagaon village in Khurda district, also ended his life by hanging himself from a tree.