Scores of activists led by TDP and BJP leaders took out a massive rally from Enumamula agricultural market to the District Collectorate, seeking justice for farmers in the State, here on Wednesday.
Senior leaders of both the parties put up a big show, sporting flags and raising slogans against the ruling TRS party and accusing it of behaving ‘adamantly’ towards farmers.
TDP leader L. Ramana, Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Gundu Sudha Rani and others said the TRS government was trying to evade the discussion by suspending MLAs from the Assembly and shortening the session. “The Opposition parties will strive to infuse confidence among the beleaguered farmers. We will continue to agitate till the State government concedes our demands,” said Mr. Errabelli Dayakar Rao. BJP leaders A. Ashok Reddy, M. Dharma Rao, MLA G. Laxman and others said the ruling TRS was not doing what it was expected to do. Despite cooperation and support from the Central government, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao failed to declare the mandals drought-hit, which would have helped farmers by way of financial assistance.
“The Centre is ready to help the Telangana government, but the TRS government is not ready to seek support in the interest of the people of Telangana,” the BJP leaders said.
The leaders accused the Chief Minister of focusing on programmes like Mission Kakatiya and Water Grid only to help ministers and the ruling party MLAs amass wealth rather than pay attention to distressed farmers.
They demanded that the State government announce a one-time loan waiver, enhance support price to cotton and paddy, extend the Assembly session till October 15 and revoke the suspension of MLAs of Opposition parties.
TDP MLA Dayakar Rao said if the government failed to announce a one-time loan waiver, they would call for a State bandh on October 10 and continue their agitation.
