Protesting the failure of State Government in addressing the farmers issues despite the start of Khariff season, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu and Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana staged a Maha Dharna at Indira Park.

Addressing the gathering at Indira Park, Naidu accused the State and Central Government of totally failed in resolving the farmers’ woes including the supply of subsidized seeds and fertilizers, rescheduling of loans, waiving of interest and in providing minimum support price for farm produce.

The government failed to meet even 30 percent seeds and fertilizers to farmers despite start of khariff season, he stated.

Stating that fertilizers and seeds priced increased 12 times, Naidu alleged it would put an additional burden of Rs 1100 crores on farmers.

Alleging that the government showing negligent attitude towards farmers issues in drought hit mandals, Naidu said that 20,000 farmers ended their lives since the assume of Congress government in the State due to government’s indifferent attitude.

He ridiculed the Congress claim of `Champion of farmers’ cause and described it as anti-farmer government and not responding on their issues at right time.

Stating that government failed to honour its promise on reschedule of loans, Naidu said that the government failed to waive Rs 3,000 crore interest on farm loans.

Instead of Rs 3,000 crore, he said that government cleared only Rs 300 crore interest on farmers loans and cheated the farmers, he pointed out.

Stating that five lakh acres crop withered due to erratic supply of power, Naidu demanded implementation of Swamynathan committee recommendations for the welfare of farmers.

Reiterating that the TDP would continue its agitation until the government takes concrete steps on farmers’ issues, Naidu said that he would place all their demands in the party’s election manifesto of 2014 general elections.

Participating in the dharna, CPI state secretary Narayana suspected existence of `secret pact’ between fertilizer deals and government to sell them in black market.

He alleged that the fertilizer dealers resorting to black mail tactics and dictating terms with the government when the raids conducted by officials on them proves a secret deal exist between them.

He condemned the government for foisting police cases against CPI activists when they stage dharna in front of dealers and shops.

Later the police arrested Naidu and Narayana when they called activists to picket Secretariat and shifted them to Banjara Hills police station.

Leaders and representatives from Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Forward Block also participate in the day long dharna.