Scores of Congress activists and general public thronged the Ekasila Park where party senior leader Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy undertook a 24-hour hunger strike in support of chilli farmers here on Wednesday.
Former Minister D. Sridhar Babu, MP Nandi Yellaiah, Janga Raghava Reddy, SC cell leader P. Yakaswamy, Namindla Srinivas and a large number of activists visited the venue and expressed solidarity with the protesting leader. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramana Reddy lashed out at the State government and the Chief Minister for failing the chilli farmers. “None of the ruling party members have any time for farmers and so also the Chief Minister. They find time to attack the Opposition parties and take part in propaganda shows, but not for farmers in distress,” he said.
He said the farmers were approaching the Opposition leaders to highlight their cause and hence the Congress took up their issue. However, the ruling party was accusing Congress of politicising the issue instead of looking into the matter. “This is not the time to gain political mileage. Desperate farmers are taking to streets and burning their produce demanding a reasonable price,” Mr. Ramana Reddy said. The State government should ensure bonus to chilli farmers as is being done by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka governments.
