Senior Congress leader Jeevan Reddy leads protest against State government in Jagtial

Congress leader T Jeevan Reddy led a farmers’ protest in Jagtial demanding maize procurement centres and MSP for farmers. The protest comes amid growing speculation about his differences with the party leadership and rumours about a possible exit from Congress

Jagtial: Congress leader T Jeevan Reddy, who has been at loggerheads with the party leadership, appears to be strengthening his stance, with the senior leader on Monday leading a farmers’ protest against the Congress government demanding that the government establish maize procurement centres in the district.

Jeevan Reddy, who has been frequently voicing his dissent against the party leadership, had also recently stated that it would not be possible for him to continue in the party. Adding to the speculation, one of his followers recently posted a message on social media claiming that Jeevan Reddy had decided to quit the party and join the BRS. It was amid these developments that he led a farmers’ protest at the Collectorate and submitted a representation to the Additional Collector during Prajavani.

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Meanwhile, his followers removed Congress party posters and banners that had been put up at the residence of Jeevan Reddy. Congress party posters with photographs of Ministers were also removed from his residence, and instead, a new poster carrying Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami and Hanuman Jayanthi greetings was put up at the residence. The poster carried only the photograph of Jeevan Reddy.

Both the developments have added fuel to rumours that Jeevan Reddy may quit the party very soon. The differences between Jeevan Reddy and the party leadership began after the induction of Jagtial BRS MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar into the Congress without informing him. The rift further deepened with the allocation of more councillor seats as well as the Jagtial municipal chairperson post to the MLA’s supporters. He was also upset with the party leadership after being denied a Rajya Sabha seat.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after the protest march on Monday, Jeevan Reddy said it was a tradition to purchase maize from farmers by establishing Markfed procurement centres. However, the centres had not been opened so far. As a result, farmers who cultivated maize despite several difficulties were facing problems in selling their produce, he said, urging the government to protect the interests of the farming community by opening procurement centres on the occasion of Ugadi.

Apart from opening procurement centres, farmers should be provided the minimum support price (MSP). Though the government had fixed an MSP of Rs 2,400 per quintal for maize, farmers were receiving only Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,800, he said, adding that this was resulting in farmers losing Rs 500 to Rs 600 on every quintal. With an average production of 30 quintals per acre, farmers were incurring a loss of around Rs 15,000.

Jeevan Reddy also pointed out that monkey menace had become a major problem for farmers. Since maize was being cultivated as an alternative to paddy, farmers were increasingly showing interest in the crop but were facing damage from monkeys, wild boars and birds. Since the government was also encouraging ID crops, it should take steps to protect the crops from monkeys, wild boars and birds, he said.