'We will create an earthquake that will shake Delhi': KCR gives Centre 24hrs to decide on paddy procurement

New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Monday set a 24-hour deadline for the Centre to declare its decision on procuring the entire paddy crop from Telangana.

"I would like to tell the Prime Minister to frame a new agriculture policy and we will also contribute to that. If you will not do it then you will be removed and the new government will make a new integrated agriculture policy," said KCR.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party led by KCR began its protest in Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday morning demanding a unified paddy procurement policy.

Over 1,000 leaders from the TRS participated in the protest. This is the first public protest by the party in the national capital since 2014.

"I once again request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Piyush Goyal with folded hands to procure paddy from Telangana as is being done in case of other states. We will wait 24 hours for your response. Later, we will chalk out a new path and do whatever is required to protect our farmers. But we will also come after you (BJP) and expose your double standards as well as injustice meted out to farmers," said KCR.

The Telangana government has been asking the Centre to procure the entire paddy produced in the state. Last year, a delegation of ministers from the state had even met Union ministers to make a clear announcement on paddy procurement, including the quantity.

In March, a TRS delegation had alleged that Union food and public distribution minister Piyush Goyal had insulted Telangana by saying, "You have to make it a habit for the people of your state to eat broken rice, but we will not be buying boiled rice." The party demanded an unconditional apology from the Union minister.

KCR said the people and farmers of Telangana were ready to fight with the Centre to protect their rights. The TRS will garner the support of all like-minded political parties to mobilise farmers and build a movement unless the BJP government addresses the issues pertaining to farmers. "We will create a strong earthquake which will shake the throne of Delhi sultanate," he warned.

Rakesh Singh Tikait, leader of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), joined the Telangana government's fight in New Delhi. TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha welcomed him at KCR's Delhi residence.

Rakesh Tikait claimed that it hurts to see a state protesting in Delhi for the farmers and said that the Union government must repent of this. He said the Central government is playing national politics with the lives of individuals.