Telugu Desam Party begins hunger strike demanding relief for farmers

HYDERABAD - Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandra Babu Naidu and his supporters began an indefinite hunger strike here on Friday to protest the lack of remuneration for flood-hit farmers.

Naidu said the farmers have been suffering as the recent heavy rains and floods severely damaged their crops.

“Especially during Kharif season, in Andhra Pradesh, five times cyclones and also floods occurred. Finally, 16 lakhs acres of crops were damaged totally. All farmers and also leaseholders are in trouble. They spent huge money,” said Naidu.

“In the recent times, labour charges are increased and also petrol, diesel charges are increased, and also fertilization and pesticides rates are increased. Because all inputs are increased, farmers incur heavy investments in agriculture, ultimately are not getting any remunerative price,” he added.

Naidu further said the government has not taken any action on the farmers’ woes.

“Natural calamity, government has to give compensation for their investing in agriculture, either by way of insurance or by way of government subsidies. It is my demand and also farmers should get equity,” said Naidu.

“As of today, they are nowhere; they are having so many problems. They are suffering a lot. So, because of all these things I tried my level best to convince both governments,” he added.

Legislators and members of legislative councils of the TDP joined the hunger strike outside the assembly and conducted rallies on the streets. (ANI)