Bhopal: A WhatsApp message purportedly sent by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath to the farmers in the state, apologising to them for not being able to waive their crop loans and subsequently assuring them of writing off their outstanding loans after the Lok Sabha elections on Monday sparked a political row here.

Opposition BJP moved the Election Commission, accusing the chief minister of violating election rules by circulating 'his message' to the farmers after the model code of conduct for the polls came into force.

“The chief minister is not only giving false hopes to farmers by promising to write off their crop loans after the LS elections but has violated model code of conduct by circulating the message among them,” BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal said.

A Congress spokesman said around 25 lakh farmers have benefitted from the scheme and the rest would be covered under it after the upcoming LS elections.