170 farmers file nominations for Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat where Telangana CM KCR's daughter K Kavitha will seek re-election

Farmers in Telangana state who have jumped into poll fray in large numbers in Nizamab Lok Sabha seat on Friday, March 29, have stated that ir only aim is to register ir protest against government’s failure to ensure remunerative price for ir produce.

Approximately, 170 farmers who have filed minations in constituency have me it clear that y have jumped into fray t with intention of defeating Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha who is seeking re-election from same constituency, rar to put ir issues across.

y h chosen to contest elections to protest against TRS government’s failure of ensuring remunerative prices for turmeric and red jowar (sorghum) produce and establishing turmeric board. Farmers have been seeking MSP of Rs. 15,000 per quintal for turmeric and Rs. 3,500/- MSP for red jowar.

With 185 candidates, including farmers, are in fray for April 11 elections in state. Inste of EVMs, Election Commission will use ballot papers in constituency.

“It is t to win elections. We wanted to get our demands fulfilled. Are y (Telangana government) t aware of our problems?” asked Pravin Kumar, a turmeric farmer.

"Several dharnas, rasta-rokos were held, but re was response from m and hence a decision was taken to file minations and contest elections. We are t canvassing...we will lose election and deposit also but we did t withdraw minations. We wanted to bring it to national attention. We have political nda. We welcome any party which resolves our problems," he  ded 

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Ar turmeric farmer Raghupathy Reddy said, "All farmers who are contesting elections have a similar opinion to highlight issues including n-setting up of turmeric board and higher MSP for turmeric and red sorghum. idea is to highlight our concerns and grievances and t to defeat mam (Kavitha). It is t only my opinion but of all contesting farmers."

Ganghar Bdam, a farmer who filed his mination, said that despite several agitations, government did t pay any heed to demands and alleged that it even tried to suppress stirs. He alleged that ruling TRS leers threatened m with dire consequences if y contested polls en masse.

Telangana, with 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, goes to polls in first phase on April 11.

(With PTI inputs)