LUCKNOW, Sept. 18 -- Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of systematically destroying farmers in the state as part of a conspiracy. He also alleged that the government wanted to usurp farmers' land.

In a statement, Akhilesh alleged that fertiliser was being black-marketed across the state, leaving farmers helpless. "Farmers in need are unable to get fertiliser. They have been forced to wander from place to place, stand in long queues and even face police lathicharge. Due to this shortage, crops have been ruined," he said.

He claimed that the BJP government's policies were aimed at pushing farmers out of agriculture. "This government wants to ruin farmers so that they a...