Telangana crop procurement: Revanth Reddy urges Centre to buy full paddy intake

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Centre should accept the full quantity of paddy and other crops procured by the state, criticising Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar. Speaking at Koheda during the foundation event for an integrated fruit market, he also accused the BRS of obstructing development.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy accused the Union government of not lifting the full quantity of paddy and other crops bought by the state. At a public meeting on Saturday, Reddy said Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar should resign if they cannot ensure Central procurement. Reddy also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should step down.

Reddy spoke after laying the foundation stone for an integrated fruit market at Koheda. Reddy linked the issue to farm procurement and state development works. Reddy said the state did not come to power by chance. Reddy said Congress workers and the public backed the change in government.

Telangana paddy procurement row with Centre

Reddy said the Centre should buy all grain produced in the state. Reddy said the issue would be clearer after June 15. Reddy said Telangana would complete procurement of 75 lakh metric tonne of paddy by then. Reddy said the Centre should not refuse to lift paddy and other crops after that date.

"Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay are doing a tamasha. If they cannot deliver, they have to step down. We have not come to power just like that. We came to power because Congress activists and people wanted. It has been 12 years since PM Modi assumed office. Is he not going to purchase our crops? Let Modi step down first,\" he said.

Reddy said the state would intensify its response if the Centre does not lift stocks after June 15. Reddy said the government would not hesitate to fight the Centre on procurement. Reddy recalled saying earlier that Telangana would announce a war on the Centre. Reddy repeated that this would follow June 15 if lifting does not happen.

Rahul Gandhi and Telangana development projects

Reddy said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would be made Prime Minister. Reddy said Rahul Gandhi would ensure purchase of every grain produced in Telangana by the Centre. Reddy also listed project demands. Reddy said the Palamuru Ranga Reddy project would get national status under Rahul Gandhi.

Reddy said the state also wanted Central funds for key infrastructure. Reddy mentioned expansion of Hyderabad Metro among the proposals. Reddy also referred to development of the Regional Ring Road. Reddy added that other state government proposals also needed Central support.

BRS and Telangana development projects

Reddy accused the opposition BRS of putting obstacles in the way of development. Reddy said BRS opposed multiple projects. Reddy listed the fruit market construction, the proposed Future City near Hyderabad, and the Regional Ring Road. Reddy said protests were aimed at slowing the government’s development initiatives.

Reddy said BRS could lose its opposition status if it keeps blocking development efforts. Reddy said the government would not be shaken by alleged abuses from BRS. Reddy said the administration would continue with planned development initiatives. Reddy also said Congress would return to power in the 2028 Assembly elections.

At the Koheda meeting, Reddy ended with a political pitch for the next polls. Reddy said Congress would be re-elected in 2028. Reddy gave the slogan phir ek bar, Congress sarkar Congress government, once again. Reddy maintained that procurement and development plans would continue despite opposition pressure.

With inputs from PTI