Jaganmohan Reddy takes on Andhra Pradesh govt over farmer deaths

YS Jaganmohan Reddy has said the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh has lost its relevance, particularly in the wake of continuing suicides by farmers in the state.

Ending his 48-hour fast, demanding better compensation for the flood-affected farmers,  Reddy said the Congress government’s days in Andhra Pradesh are numbered. “It seems the government thinks that elections are three years away and they need not act on any issue immediately.”

Though  Reddy’s fast was to highlight problems faced by farmers in the state, the dais on the banks of River Krishna in Vijayawada was used more for showing off his strength.

The venue attracted several Congress MLAs and MPs but Jagan loyalists claimed the rebel leader was not keen on encashing support from within the Congress and did not want to throw the party out of power.

With increasing pressure from farmers for compensation and other support mechanisms, including purchase of damaged harvest by the government machinery, the state government has announced a package of Rs6,000 per hectare of damaged crop.

However,  Reddy rubbished the proposed relief. “The package is just an eye wash. The Centre is giving peanuts in the form of Rs400 crore for the entire crop loss. Forty-two farmers committed suicide before the government announced the package and 84 farmers ended their lives after the announcement,” he argued.