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A farmer chose the venue of Sadhana Samavesha, the celebrations to mark the two years of the BJP government, to attempt suicide and draw attention to his plight. A farmer chose the venue of

Sadhana Samavesha, the celebrations to mark the two years of the BJP government, to attempt suicide and draw attention to his plight. It was believed that Eshwarappa, a farmer from Ramdurga

in Belgaum district, had attempted suicide after failing to repay a loan of Rs2 lakh that he had taken from a nationalised bank. Identifying the farmer, police said that he allegedly took

out a bottle of poison, believed to be pesticide, and drank it in front of bewildered policemen on security duty. He was immediately whisked away to a waiting ambulance, and rushed to the MS

Ramaiah Hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. Doctors attending on him said that he was critical, and that a clear prognosis would only be available after 48 hours. “He is kept

under observation. If his health improves, he could be moved out of intensive care. He was frothing at the mouth when he was brought to the hospital, and he needs to be under prolonged

observation,” one of the doctors attending to him said. Police said that preliminary investigations were being conducted. “It is apparent that he had availed a loan of Rs2 lakh, to buy a

tractor, which he had not been able to repay to the nationalised bank,” police said. Failing crops and a lower income from crops caused Eshwarappa distress, police said. Inspector

Virupakshappa of High Grounds police station said that the police would record a statement when the man is well enough to offer one, and the doctors grant them the green signal. A case of

attempt to commit suicide will be taken up against Eshwarappa, police said.