Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is under fire from Opposition parties for his alleged anti-farmer remarks at a function in Vidarbha's Akola district, on Tuesday played down the remarks, saying a mountain is being made out of a molehill.
"I have not insulted farmers. Opposition leaders are making a mountain out of a molehill," an official statement, quoting Deshmukh said.
"If someone were to listen to my complete speech at the function, it will be noticed that I have not made any remarks which could be construed as being against farmers," Deshmukh said.
"However, my speech was conveniently distorted. Being a farmer myself, I realise the pains and sufferings of farmers," he said.
Besides Deshmukh, Union Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who also spoke at the function on Sunday, face flak for his remarks against farmers in Vidarbha where thousands of debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide.