Capital: Opposition unites to help affected farmers

GUNTUR: The state government’s proposal to establish the state capital in Tulluru, Mandadam, Rayapudi, Dondapadu and other villages, all fertile areas, is bringing all Opposition parties and right-wing groups on a common platform to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the farmers against the proposal.

The proposed state capital region, especially the four above mentioned villages, have become a hub of  the activity for political parties.

While Telugu Desam leaders are visiting the villages to convince farmers to pool their land, leaders of the Congress, YSR Congress, Communist Party of India, CPM and other organisations, are promising the farmers that they will stand by them in their fight to save their lands.

Interestingly, leaders of the TD’s ally, the BJP, are also opposing the land pooling proposal.

While CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna conducted a meeting with farmers on Tuesday, an AP Congress team will visit the riverfront villages in a day or two in support of the farmers.

Besides this, the Congress is trying to bring Narmada Bachao Andolan founder Medha Patkar and other leaders to visit Tulluru mandal on November 11 or 12.

Senior Congress leader and Delta Parirakshana Samiti convener Kolanukonda Sivaji said that the government had taken land from farmers of Jakkampudi village for a housing scheme on a 60-40 ratio, but even after a decade, the farmers were waiting for their share.

He said that farmers were ready to give 2,000 acres of land for capital establishment, but unwilling to give up their entire farmlands.

“The government must prepare and publicise a blueprint on the capital before the land pooling proposal is implemented,” Mr Sivaji said.

Senior CPM leader P. Rama Rao objected to the land pooling proposal, saying that it would turn farmers into landless people. He demanded implementation of the new Land Acquisition Act when the government acquires land for the capital. He accused the TD government of trying to benefit the corporate sector and imperialists.

Mr Rama Rao said that the Communists were ready to fight against the forcible acquisition of land.

Meanwhile, YSRC leaders are visiting villages to extend their support to farmers. All India Rytu Coolie Sangham, AP Rytu Sangham and other Left organisations too are visiting the villages, gathering support from locals.

Meanwhile Jagan: land pooling is farmer fooling

Ridiculing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Opposition leader and YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said the government’s land-pooling process is nothing but ‘farmer-fooling’.

He assured farmers that YSRC would stand by them if the government resorts to highhandedness during land pooling.

Speaking to reporters at his Lotus Pond office, Mr Reddy said, “We have no objection to setting up the capital between Krishna and Guntur districts. But, the issue needs to be discussed in detail. The government should not take away farm land and deprive agriculturists.”

He added   “We have said in the Assembly that the capital should be set where at least 30,000 to 50,000 acres of government land is available.”

He said Mr Naidu is trying to fool farmers and that’s why farmers are opposing his move.