TDP asks AP CM to step down on fertilizers issue

Ongole, Oct 4 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu today demanded that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy step down if he could not find a solution to the acute shortage of fertilizers being faced by farmers.

Leading the 'Mahadharna' stir by the party, he expressed solidarity with the farmers struggling to dehoard fertilizer stocks piled up by unscrupulous traders allegedly in collusion with Congress leaders.

The party would continue to swoop private godowns and bring to light unauthorised stocks blackmarketed by the traders within and outside the state, he said adding that it was unfortunate that the state government was arresting farmers agitating for fertilizers in Khammam district.

If voted to power the TDP would ensure loan waiver for all farmers, even to those who had repaid loans taking advances from private moneylenders, he said.

He also sought an explanation from the Chief Minister, who had claimed that suicide by farmers would be a thing of the past soon after assuming office while over 5,600 farmers ended their lives during his regime.

He pressed for implementation of the recommendations of National Commission on Farmers Chairman M S Swaminathan, for a fair Minimum Support Price(MSP) for farmers for their produce by adding 50 per cent to the Cost of Production.

Promising to fight for increasing the MSP for Paddy to Rs 1,000 per quintal, he alleged that corruption was rampant during the Congress regime at all levels.

UNI SM AKM BDP PM2003