Chiru takes on Naidu's 'Crocodile Tears'

Praja Rajyam Party founder K Chiranjeevi on Friday upped the ante in the fight for getting adequate compensation for rain-hit by claiming that his party is more concerned than the Telugu Desam Party as far as the issue is concerned. Accusing TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu of launching his hunger strike to press the government to release adequate compensation for the farmers, Mr Chiranjeevi describe it as a ‘stunt’ to get political mileage.

The PRP chief also accused Mr Naidu of shedding crocodile tears on farmer’s problems and added that the TDP chief could do anything to come back to power. “His Deeksha is not to help the farmers or for their welfare. Naidu’s main aim is to grab power by politicizing the issues,” he charged.

As if to prove that the TDP chief’s words of support to the farmers were hollow, Mr Chiranjeevi demanded that the government review its package announced for rain-hit farmers and take steps for increasing the relief. Slamming the state government for announcing meager package for rain affected farmers, Mr Chiranjeevi said his party would intensify its protests if the government did not take proper measures for the welfare of farmers.

Stating that the government was totally failed in providing relief to affected farmers, the actor-turned-politician said the MPs of state are not responding actively and properly in bringing farmers’ problems to the notice of concerned Union Minister. “The farmers in the state are facing injustice due to our inefficient MPs,” he stated.

The PRP chief also wondered why the state government was keeping quiet when wheat sown in Punjab was being stored in godowns in Andhra Pradesh. “Why is the government storing wheat of Punjab in Andhra godowns?” he questioned. Mr Chiranjeevi also demanded that the government implement the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendations and pay MSP for crops. The PRP chief also appealed to the government to announce a special package for poverty stricken weavers and cotton growers and set up cotton purchase centres in each mandal.