TDP will support chilli farmers: Naidu

Guntur, May 5: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu today said the party would fight for chilli farmers till they get compensation for the loss they had suffered in a major fire, which had razed Asia's largest yard here on Saturday last.

Addressing the farmers after visiting the spot here, he said he ''would not sleep'' till the state government comes to their rescue.

Asking the farmers to launch agitations on the issue, he criticised the Chief Minister for not talking to the farmers during his visit to the yard yesterday. He demanded the state government to pay compensation as per the market price.

The farmers who assembled at the market yard narrated their woes to Mr Naidu.

Later, Mr Naidu visited the house of farmer Raghavaiah, who committed suicide by consuming pesticide yesterday at Ravikampadu of Padanandipadu mandal, and consoled his family members.

The victim's family members alleged that he took the extreme step due to the loss suffered in the fire accident.

TDP Official spokesperson N Rajakumari demanded the resignations of all the state Ministers from this district owning moral responsibility for the incident.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Kana Lakshmi Naryana handed over a cheque for Rs one lakh to the family members of Raghavaiah.

He asked the farmers not to worry over the loss, as the state government would announce suitable compensation after assessing the loss.

The state government announced the constitution of a five-member expert committee, headed by State Marketing Commissioner Sukumara to probe into the incident.

UNI