Andhra Pradesh: JSP Chief Pawan Kalyan Warns Jagan Government Against Targeting Farmers

The actor-politician warned Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government that filing police cases against farmers would have serious consequences.

Jana Sena Party (JSP) president Pawan Kalyan

Source : ABP Desam

Jana Sena Party (JSP) president Pawan Kalyan on Thursday alleged that farmers who are approaching government officials with their problems are being arrested. Addressing the media after inaugurating the JSP's Godavari region office building in Rajamahendravaram, Pawan said his party would continue its fight till justice is done to all farmers. He said that his JSP would not keep quiet if cases were booked against farmers who were going to submit memorandums to government officials.

The actor-politician warned Andhra Pradesh's YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government that filing police cases against farmers would have serious consequences.

He also slammed the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for failing to timely procure paddy from farmers. He alleged that, right from the Chief Minister to the Agriculture Minister and the district officers, none of them planned the paddy procurement process meticulously.

Pawan said the government's response to the farmers' problems following unseasonal rains was poor. Kalyan said, “We are not blaming the YSRCP for the unseasonal rains, but we blame it for its poor response to the farmers’ problems following the rains.”

"The farmers are in tears as they are struggling to get the minimum support price for paddy. The government's inability to ensure a timely supply of gunny sacks has added to the woes of the farmers in the Godavari region," he added.

The JSP leader said that, while he was not a full-fledged farmer but he could understand their problems.

Referring to the talks with the farmers held at the new party office, Pawan Kalyan said, “The farmers are pleading for ₹25,000 as crop loan per acre at 25 paisa interest. If that is guaranteed, they are not expecting loan waiver.”

At least 25 farmers representing the Godavari region held talks with Pawan Kalyan and narrated their struggles for crop loans, MSP, irrigation, and marketing facilities.

The JSP Chief appealed to the public representatives, officials, and YSRCP leaders not to target the farmers who participated in the talks.

“The protest will be intensified and the fight for the farmers’ rights will become more complex If any participant / farmer is subjected to any kind of harassment,” warned Kalyan.

He instructed the party's Rajamahendravaram in-charge, Kandula Durgesh, to organise a protest until the farmers in the Godavari region received compensation from the government for their damaged paddy.