Telugu Desam Party Telangana State working president A Revanth Reddy has lashed out at the TRS government for allegedly imposing an emergency-like situation on the State by foisting criminal cases against aggrieved farmers, handcuffing them, and stifling the voice of Opposition parties for raising chilli farmers’ issues.
The TRS government liberally doled out tax exemptions to three Telugu films including a recently released movie but did not bother to ensure fair price to chilli farmers reeling under the impact of steep slump in the price, he said.
Mr Reddy along with a host of senior TDP leaders staged a day-long fast christened “Rytu Poru Deeksha” on chilli farmers’ issues near the Collectorate here on Saturday.
TDP legislator from Sattupalli constituency S Venkata Veeraiah, against whom a case of rioting at the Khammam market yard had been registered, was among those who participated in the stir.
Seven farmers of the total 10 farmers those who were released from the district jail on Thursday after obtaining bail in the case were also present.
Leaders of the Opposition parties including the Congress, the CPI, the CPI (M) and the CPI (ML-New Democracy) visited the dharna camp and expressed solidarity with the fasting TDP leaders. Addressing the gathering at the Dharna Chowk, Mr Revanth Reddy alleged that the TRS regime slapped criminal cases against hapless farmers.
“The TRS government should tender an open apology to the victimised farmers, withdraw the cases against them and ensure remunerative price in addition to bonus of Rs 3000 a quintal of chilli to the latter,” he said.
