TRS Maha Dharna: KCR Announces War Against Centre

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today declared a war of sorts against the Centre to get it to procure paddy from the state.

KCR asked the Centre to pointedly state whether or not it would buy paddy from the farmers of the state, in two days.

Beginning the 3-hour Maha Dharna by the TRS at Dharna Park, the CM said that the BJP should make it clear on whether it would buy the stocks from state's godowns or bow down to the people and apologise.

"I appeal to Modi with folded hands to take the Yasangi paddy and procure the stocks left behind. We are producing about 1.5 cr MT of paddy in about 70 lakh acres, and the Centre should procure it as per the Constitution. We are not fighting for any posts here. We are asking you only to buy paddy from the state, and if can not, to tell us your stance," he said.

"If the Centre is not ready to buy our paddy we will fight with it to protect the interests of our farmers, and ensure that all other states come to know of its failure. But we will also take our own steps to help the farmers if we are given clarity. Telangana is the only state in the country offering Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers per year and 24-hour free power, and nobody can question our commitment to the farmers," he added.

The CM also claimed that the Centre was adopting double standards, and also spreading misinformation over the issue.

KCR also alleged that the Modi government had no policies to address most issues. He expressed serious displeasure that there were no responses from the Centre on SC categorization, ST reservations, BC census, ITIR, Navodaya Schools in districts and other issues concerning the state.