HYDERABAD: TPCC president and Lok Sabha member, A. Revanth Reddy while hitting out at the ‘anti-farmer’ Union and state governments, on Saturday warned that the frustrated farmers would hang Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao near the statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar if they fail to procure the entire paddy produce.
“Step down from your respective posts if you are unable to help paddy farmers,” he thundered.
In a hard-hitting speech during the two-day ‘Vari Deeksha’, organised by Kisan Congress cell at Indira Park dharna chowk here, Reddy said that the apathy and delay in procurement of paddy has led to the death of several farmers.
"The situation is worsening by the day. Farmers are desperately waiting to dispose of huge piles of their produce. While refusing to purchase paddy, both BJP and TRS governments are not only pushing the farmers into a deep crisis but also exposing them to exploitation by middlemen," Reddy said.
Party seniors N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Seethakka, V. Hanumantha Rao, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, M. Kodanda Reddy and Sunket Anvesh Reddy were among those present.
Revanth Reddy announced that they would continue their agitation until the government purchases every grain of paddy. He pointed out that the entire paddy produce could be purchased by spending just 10,000 crore.
Speaking about Rao’s recent visit to New Delhi, Reddy said that no serious efforts were made to seek the appointment of Modi. The TRS delegation, which met agriculture minister Piyush Goyal did not speak about paddy procurement and instead had a discussion on what crop farmers should grow in the next season. Further, he alleged that they got an assurance from Goyal that Telangana BJP leaders would not raise the issue of paddy farmers, procurement, or cultivation in the next season.
Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress would put up a united fight against the Union and state governments. Accusing Rao of cheating farmers, he said that the government did not intentionally implement crop loan waiver schemes and crop insurance schemes and thereby leaving farmers in the lurch.
