Demanding that the Centre procure paddy from the State, leaders and workers of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) commenced dharnas on highways across the State stalling traffic. At several places, Ministers led the agitation. The highways were totally cordoned off by the TRS activists and farmers.
At Kadthal junction of Nirmal in Adilabad district, the agitation was led by Endowments Minister A. Indrakaran Reddy. “We will continue our fight against Centre till last grain was purchased. The BJP leaders who instigated farmers to sow paddy are not coming out openly now,” said Mr. Indrakaran Reddy while participating in the dharna. He called upon the farmers to grill the BJP leaders in villages.
Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister E. Dayakar Rao said that farmers should hoist black flags on houses against the Union Government. “When Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao asked farmers not to sow paddy, BJP leaders asked the farmers to go for paddy. Now BJP Government is behaving irresponsibly,” said Mr. Dayakar Rao while speaking to reporters at Jangaon
At Bhutpur in Mahabubnagar district on the national highway connecting Bengaluru the agitation was led by Excise and Tourism Minister V. Srinivas Goud. MLAs A. Venkateswar Reddy, Jaipal Yadav, Anjayayya Yadav, Narender Reddy and Rajender Reddy joined him in the protests.
At Medchal the protests were led by Labour Minister Ch. Mallareddy.
At Sangareddy cross roads the agitation was led by Lok Sabha member K. Prabhakar Reddy and party district unit president Chinta Prabhakar. Traffic stalled for long time on Hyderabad Mumbai Highway
On the Vijayawada Highway protests were held at Choutuppal, Kodada, Suryapet and Nakirekal.
Farmers and TRS activists spread paddy on the road as part of protest and effigies of Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were burnt.
Placards were exhibited demanding that the government procure paddy harvested in Telangana and follow ‘One nation - one procurement’ policy. TRS activists raised slogans against the Union Government.
