Mumbai, Feb 15 (Reporter) Senior Congress leader Nana Patole on Saturday strongly criticised Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate over his statement on farmers, arguing that farmers are the backbone of the world and insulting them is nothing but a perverse mindset. The BJP-alliance government is anti-farmer and works solely for the wealthy, he charged in a statement issued here. "It has repeatedly been proven that the BJP-alliance government is anti-farmer. Farmers have been insulted by being labelled as extremists, Naxalites and agitators. Now, the state's Agriculture Minister Kokate has crossed the line by calling farmers beggars," he said. His (Kokate's) statement reflects his arrogance due to power, he said in a jab. "Farmers are not beggars, rather it is the BJP-alliance government who is a beggar as it exploits the common people through GST," said Patole. The government has failed to provide fair prices for farm produce and does not grant loan waivers, he charged. "During elections, the BJP-alliance begged for votes by making extravagant promises to farmers. By imposing an 18 percent GST on agricultural equipment needed for farming, the government essentially begs from farmers while shamelessly calling them beggars," he retorted. "We have recently exposed how the Agriculture Ministry misuses funds under various schemes in the name of farmers. Corruption in the crop insurance scheme has also come to light," he said. Patole demanded that Agriculture Minister Kokate should offer public apology to farmers. Additionally, he called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to remove Kokate from his position...////...