People's Democracy

Resolve Farmers Problem

Urgently: CPI(M)

AS the indefinite fast undertaken by the TDP President and former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu entered the fifth day, his medical condition is precarious with doctors emphasising the urgent need to give fluids to prevent a tragedy. As the talks held by a group of three state ministers with Naidu failed, the former chief minister is adamant on continuing the fast till the government yields to the demand for a special package to the farmers who lost their crops due to severe rainfall recently.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and state secretary, B V Raghavulu was among the host of leaders who called on Naidu in the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) hospital and expressed solidarity on December 21. RSP leader Abani Roy, CPI state secretary K Narayana also called on Naidu.

Later, speaking to reporters Raghavulu urged the government and the Congress to see the farmers problem from people's standpoint instead of as a political issue. He wanted the government to urgently find a solution to the problems of farmers who have suffered severe losses and many of who are committing suicides. He reminded that earlier also when such indefinite fasts were undertaken, the governments had found solutions and resolved the issue. Raghavulu also called on the central government and Congress high command to respond on this issue. He warned about a united opposition intensifying the agitation further if the governments do not respond.

At the time of writing this on December 22, activists belonging to TDP, CPI(M) and CPI were conducting siege of district collectorate offices across the state protesting governments careless attitude on this issue. In Warangal, the police resorted to lathicharge and arrested TDP MLAs and Left parties leaders during the agitation resulting in tension in the area.

(INN)