KCR must resign as CM if he is unable to protect farmers' interest: Congress

"It was quite painful to watch CM KCR express helplessness in supporting the paddy farmers. Since he is unable to pressurize the Centre to purchase paddy, KCR is asking lakhs of farmers to surrender their interests before the Modi government and give up paddy cultivation," Shabbir Ali said in a statement on Monday.

He added, "A Chief Minister is not expected to say that he is helpless. Instead of surrendering before the dictates of the Modi government, he must find out a solution if he is serious about protecting farmers' interests."

Shabbir Ali said the Telangana farmers have voted for TRS in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 2018, and 2019. Therefore, it is the duty of the Chief Minister to protect the interest of farmers at all costs. He reminded that the TRS MPs have voted in favor of the three new controversial farm laws in the Parliament.

"Following strong opposition to the new laws by farmers, TRS enacted the drama of opposing the new legislation and even participated in one Bharat Bandh. Later, KCR entered into a secret deal with the BJP government and backed the new farm laws. In view of changed circumstances, KCR is again targetting the Modi government on farming issues. KCR must take a clear stand on the farmers' issue and stop exploring political gains in everything," he said.

The Congress leader also condemned the Chief Minister for refusing to reduce the VAT on petrol and diesel prices. He said KCR could not wash his hands off the issue of inflation and seek refuge behind a dirty blame game with the BJP. "Use of abusive and offensive language against the BJP leaders or other opposition parties will not give relief to the common people. People are expecting the Chief Minister to take measures that could reduce inflation. They are not interested in his abusive language or hollow threats," he said.

Shabbir Ali said the Chief Minister should convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly on farmers' issues. A resolution should be passed against the new farm laws and another resolution should be passed asking the Centre to purchase paddy. He said the government should also ensure the purchase of all other crops at Minimum Support Prices (MSP).

"Before Huzurabad by-elections, the Chief Minister had given a statement assuring that each grain cultivated by the Telangana farmers will be purchased. Since the elections are now over and the result was not in favor of the ruling TRS, KCR cannot go back on his statement while forcing farmers to take up alternate crops," he said.

The TPCC Political Affairs Committee (PAC) convener said the Congress will launch a mass agitation to protect the interest of paddy farmers. He said lakhs of paddy farmers would incur huge losses if they are forced to cultivate other crops at this stage.