Farmers Movement Archive

Telangana: TRS plays it safe on farm laws’ protests

HYDERABAD: Even as protests against the Centre’s farm legislations have intensified across the country, the ruling TRS is playing coy after opposing the bills in both Houses and terming them ‘anti-farmer’. In party secretary general, TRS parliamentary party leader K Keshava Rao’s words, “No decision has been taken against carrying out further protest programmes.” After registering its protest in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the TRS did not hold any protest programmes. Some party leaders held rallies with farmers in Nirmal and other places in favour of new Revenue Act of the state government. Keshava Rao said the party had protested strongly and voted against the bills. “TRS president, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will take a call on the protests. I will discuss the issue with him,” the party floor leader in the Rajya Sabha said. Sources said the party leadership was going slow on the issue as the state government requires the Centre’s support in implementing various welfare schemes, release of about Rs 10,000 crore towards GST arrears and other financial assistance. “Many projects are stuck with the Centre like national highways development, regional ring road, financial assistance to Hyderabad Pharma City, industrial corridor and other projects. The government does not want to fight with the Centre, keeping the state’s interests in view,” a senior TRS leader said. KCR had described the farm legislations as a ‘sugar-coated pill’ and said they would harm the farmers’ interests. He also said they would benefit only corporates. When contacted, Telangana Rythu Samanvaya Samithi, TRS general secretary Palla Rajeshwar Reddy said they had opposed the farm bills at appropriate fora (read parliament). “We will continue to oppose the legislations tooth and nail. As a party, we are not organising any protest rallies and meetings, but our party workers have been told to participate in protests organised by farmers,” he told TOI.

The Times of India

2020-09-29

Hyderabad