A clutch of organisations fighting for farmers’ rights in Telangana today asked tenant farmers to use their votes to secure their rights. “All the parties have released their manifestos. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti has completely ignored the issue of tenant farmers and Adivasi farmers who number about 15 lakh. We are asking them to use their vote as a weapon,” said Kirankumar Vissa of Rhythu Swarajya Vedika at a presser on Tuesday.
“We have had a ‘ missed call’ campaign. We did motorcycle rallies to raise awareness among tenant farmers. Before 2014, TRS had promised 3 acres of land to Dalit farmers, loan waiver scheme, crop insurance and MSP, but these have been completely forgotten now,” said Mr. Vissa.
The farmers’ leaders said the tenant farmers will vote strategically as they number about 15 lakh and can tilt scales the way they want. “There is a groundswell of anger against the govt. When we did a study with the TISS, 75% of the farmers ending their lives were tenant farmers. Their families are not eligible for any compensatory benefits. The farm outreach programmes have touched only a small percentage of farmers,” said B. Kondal of Rythu Swarajya Vedika.
