KCR protests Centre’s paddy procurement policy, demands new agriculture policy

New Delhi, April 11 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formulate a new agriculture policy, and added that he will return to Delhi soon and hold meetings with other Opposition leaders. Slamming the on government over its agricultural policies, the Telangana CM warned Prime Minister Modi that he will lose power if he does not listen to agitating farmers, and also attacked on minister Piyush Goyal. Rao spoke extensively about the measures taken by the Telangana government for farmers, and said if the Centre does not sort the paddy procurement issue within 24 hours, the state will take care of it. “All ministers, leaders from Telangana, farmers have come to Delhi. What is our crime? Is growing paddy a crime? I want to warn PM Modi, you can play with anyone but not with farmers. history tells when farmers are troubled, govts are forced our of power,” he said. “Farmers of this country are not beggars. They are demanding their rights. We urge the PM to formulate a new agricultural policy, we will also contribute to it. If you don’t do this, you will be removed from power. The new government will bring an integrated agricultural policy for India. When Telangana starts a fight, it does not stop till it achieves victory,” Rao said. He said he will go back to Telangana and settle the issue, and return to Delhi soon to meet with other Opposition leaders of presidential elections and other issues. He also accused the Centre of misusing central agencies against opposition chief ministers, and said he was not scared of the Centre. “We are only talking about farmers issues today, I will come back to Delhi and talk about political issues. There are many things to be said, we will call all opposition leaders and discuss Presidential polls and govt policies,” he said. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Monday sat on a protest in Delhi against the paddy procurement policy of the Centre. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait also joined the protest. Rao has demanded the Centre to procure entire paddy from the state during Rabi season. The TRS has been raising this demand for a while and party MPs had also staged protests during the winter session of parliament, and boycotted a large part of the session over the issue. Holding placards and wearing pink scarfs of TRS, hundreds of workers and party leaders sat at a protest at Telangana Bhavan. The day long dharna is also being seen as TRS’ message to the Centre, in the backdrop of efforts being on to create a front of the opposition parties. AO SHK1801