Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu met Chief Minister K Rosaiah in the latter's camp office on Sunday, to discuss the plight of farmers and appeal that 'justice' be done to them.
Naidu said his party gave the government the essential data that explained the grievous scenario of the farmers, and that he hoped that the government will respond immediately.
According to him, farmers aren't getting enough revenue, not even the amount they invested. Power shortage and drought are aggravating the already precarious position of the farmers, he continued.
He also elaborated on the steep decline in prices (from Rs. 80 for each bag of grains to Rs. 40) as well as the amount of production (from 5 quintals per acre to 3 quintals now), and stated that the prices were advantageous to the retailers.
The former CM said that the government was responsible for the protection of paddy fields, along with the prevention of further losses to farmers which can occur due to the arriving monsoons.
After 2004, this is the first time that the Opposition leader has met the Chief Miniser in his office.
Predictably, Agriculture minister Raghuveera Reddy scoffed at Naidu's concern towards farmers, and said the TDP chief was employing 'cheap political gimmicks' to gain popularity. He also expressed that the Congress government was dedicated to farmers and their interests, and that a lot is being done to ensure their welfare.