KTR slams anti-farmer stance of Congress

HYDERABAD: Taking a dig at the Congress for adopting an anti-farmer stance, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval of the grand old party’s controversial remarks that farmers didn’t require 24-hour free power in Telangana.

Highlighting Congress's assertion that farmers didn’t require free electricity, KTR condemned their anti-farmer policies and their remarks to reduce electricity supply from 24-hour to mere three-hours in the State if they came to power. KTR emphasised the significance of free electricity for Telangana farmers, equating it to an essential lifeline that Congress was threatening to sever. "This reflects the Congress's malevolent mindset and indifference towards the farming community," he said.

KTR pointed out the Congress party's history of implementing anti-farmer policies and drew attention to their recent demand to scrap Dharani portal and their opposition to Rythu Bandhu. He called upon the farmers of Telangana to resist the conspiracies orchestrated by the Congress to stop free power supply. “People of Telangana will never forget the adversities endured by farmers during the Congress regime,” he said.

The BRS Working President also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, including droughts, anti-farmer policies, and debt crisis, which tragically led to suicides. "Power cuts disrupted their lives and plunged them into distress. However, the situation significantly improved over the past 9 years, and instances of burning motors, exploding transformers, and crop failures that were witnessed during Congress' rule have diminished considerably," he pointed out.

KTR stated that farmers were unwilling to revert to the conditions experienced under the Congress rule, where they had to resort to purchasing fertilizers from police stations and endured long queues. He also brought attention to the issue of spurious seeds during the Congress's tenure. "After the formation of Telangana, the BRS Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, prioritised the well-being of farmers. Initiatives such as Kaleshwaram Project and Mission Kakatiya substantially increased groundwater levels, enabling farmers to cultivate two crops," he noted.

KTR affirmed the State Government's unwavering commitment of providing 24-hour free electricity, even in the face of attempts by the BJP government to introduce meters to agriculture motors. He also underscored that the State Government let go of a staggering sum of Rs 30,000 crore but did not compromise on ensuring welfare of farmers.

KTR also alleged that the Congress party harbored envy towards Telangana's success as a major rice supplier to the country. He said that the Congress shamelessly sought to revive the era of land exploitation by brokers through their intent to cancel the Dharani portal. KTR called for resolute action against those opposing free electricity and asserted the need to confront those who argued that three hours of electricity was sufficient. He urged the people to unite against the Congress for exploiting farmers and asked them to stand firmly alongside the pro-farmer BRS government.