Agriculture is in deep crisis after Jagan Mohan Reddy has become the Chief Minister and farmers are the worst affected, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday.

The State is now in third place in farmers suicide and Jagan never reviewed on insurance to faring community, Lokesh said during an interaction with farmers at Venkatapuram of Alur Assembly segment in Kurnool district during his ongoing Yuva Galam pada yatra. Lokesh promised to bring down the expenditure on farming soon after the TDP comes to power.

Stating that stringent action will be initiated against those who are now selling spurious seeds, Lokesh said that the Vedavathi project will be completed with eight TMC feet capacity. Though the TDP did not win the Alur Assembly seat in 2014, the then chief minister, Chandrabbau Naidu, never neglected this area, he said.

Assuring the farmers that Minimum Support Price (MSP) will be provided for tomato, the TDP national general secretary said that Jagan, who promised rythu rajyam before coming to power, has now turned the State without any farming. Cotton farmers were the worst affected during the YSRCP rule, he said and asked the farmers not to sign on the agreements on meters for motors. “The TDP will certainly stand by you,” he said.

Lokesh asked as to why the remaining works of irrigation projects are not being taken up. Almost 90 per cent of the Handri Neeva project works were completed during the TDP regime, but Jagan did not take any measures to complete the remaining 1o percent works, he pointed out.

As Lokesh’s pada yatra entered the Alur Assembly segment, he was given a warm welcome by the party leaders, Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy, Kotla Sujathamma and Kotla Raghavendra Reddy besides scores of party activists.

Later, the villagers of Gudimiralla met Lokesh and submitted a memorandum to him in which they said that the farmers are not getting MSP for tomatoes and onion. Lokesh promised to pay the MSP once the TDP forms the government again.

TDP’s main aim is to see to it that the farmer always feels happy while Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has zero knowledge on farming and the problems the farming community faces in their day-to-day life, felt TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Friday.

During his Yuva Galam pada yatra, Lokesh met the groundnut farmers in their agricultural fields at Pyapili village of Done Assembly segment and asked how the farming in their area is. Pat came reply from the farmers that the YSRCP Government is not extending any subsidy on drip irrigation following which they are incurring heavy losses on agriculture.

They also complained that because of the supply of spurious seeds there is heavy crop loss due to which they are suffering a lot. The farmers wanted genuine seeds to be supplied and subsidies to be extended on drip irrigation and fertilisers.

Stating that the TDP is committed for the welfare of the farming community, Lokesh pointed out that the Chandrababu Naidu government had introduced several welfare schemes for farmers. Besides drips, 90 per cent subsidy was given on agricultural implements and tractors, he said.

He felt that Jagan has no understanding on farming and is encouraging those who are selling spurious seeds and fertilisers due to which the farmer is suffering. Lokesh promised to bring back all the schemes that were implemented earlier once the TDP is back in power.

Hanumanthurayanipalli villagers met Lokesh during his pada yatra and complained that there is no crop insurance, input subsidy and other benefits now. Responding to them, Lokesh said that in the past four years, Jagan has extended crop insurance only once and the Government is not thinking of extending input subsidy to the farmers.

Earlier, the leaders of the Goat and Sheep Development Cooperative Federation met Lokesh and submitted a memorandum in which they wanted the subsidy which is now 20 per cent be extended to 75 per cent. Lokesh promised to meet their demand soon after the TDP came back to power.

Before beginning his Friday’s pada yatra, Lokesh garlanded the photo of Dr BR Ambedkar at the Gudipadu campsite on the birth anniversary of the Father of the Constitution. Later, he met the mango growers at the campsite, and they wanted a mango board to be constituted. Lokesh assured them that once the TDP is into ruling again, all their demands will be conceded.

Reacting strongly to the complaints of Tadipatri municipal councillors that they are unnecessarily putting a great hardship, TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Thursday warned the officials who are harassing the councillors will have to pay a very heavy price soon.

Some women councillors also informed Lokesh during his Yuva Galam pada yatra at Rayalacheruvu that false cases are being foisted against them only to subject them to mental agony.

“I am aware of all the goings-on here and those who are resorting to such cruel activity will be taken to task and action will be taken against such officials by ordering for a judicial inquiry once the TDP is into power,” Lokesh told them.

At Divalamadugu, the local women narrated to Lokesh that they are getting drinking water from their fields as the pipelines that got damaged have not been repaired by local MLA, Peddareddy. They informed Lokesh that the whole village which has 200 houses has a single borewell and even that is not working properly.

Lokesh promised to supply drinking water to every doorstep immediately after the TDP came back to power. The border villages of Karnataka in Anantapur district are full of liquor and ganja but not drinking water, he said and assured them that the Rayalacheruvu will be filled with drinking water and the pipelines too will be repaired soon after the TDP forms the government.

As Lokesh’s pada yatra ended in the combined Anantapur district, he wrote a letter to the people of the district profusely thanking them for their cooperation. “Even under the hot Sun, you all travelled with me and I will never forget in my life the affection and love you all have shown to me,” Loeksh said in the letter.

The local TDP leaders and party activists gave a fond farewell to Mr Lokesh and the pada yatra entered the combined Kurnool district on Thursday. The TDP leaders and party cadre came in large numbers to welcome Lokesh to Kurnool district at D Rangapuram of Done Assembly segment.

TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Wednesday promised to revive all the welfare measures that were implemented earlier during the TDP regime once the party forms the government again.

During the Yuva Galam pada yatra, the villagers of P Kottalapalli of Tadipatri Assembly segment in Anantapur district met Lokesh and informed him that the welfare schemes for farmers which were in force earlier, have been withdrawn by this Government.

They told Lokesh that the YSRCP Government is neglecting farmers welfare and till now the crop loss has not been assessed though heavy damage was caused to the standing crop in the recent floods.

Observing that during the TDP regime, Chandrababu Naidu’s top priority was farmers welfare, Lokesh promised the villagers that once the party is back in the government, all the schemes will be revived. “We will see to it that the farmer does not suffer in any manner,” Lokesh told the villagers.

Lokesh said that it is really atrocious that an attempt to murder was made on an Army staff member, Samarasimha Reddy, as he invited the TDP leader, Paritala Sriram, for the jatra organised at Tummala village of Dharmavaram mandal in Satya Sai district. The TDP national general secretary demanded the immediate arrest of the Zilla Parishad chairman, Kamireddypalli Sudhakar Reddy, for this murder attempt on an Army staff member.

The farmers of T Kothapalli and youth from Kammavari Palli met Lokesh during the pada yatra and apprised him of the local issues they are facing. Lokesh said that the youth is always given priority during the TDP regime and employment opportunities will be provided in all sectors for the youth once the TDP is back in power. The villagers of Naganur also met the TDP national general secretary.

At Tutralapalli village, Lokesh had a face-to-face programme with representatives of the Reddy community. He said that Reddys were always given highest respect by the TDP and though the former minister, J C Diwakar Reddy, contested against the late NT Rama Rao, the TDP always treated him as a political rival but not as an enemy.

“We have never resorted to personal animosity and never Chandrababu Naidu and the Late Dr YS Rajasekjara Reddy too indulged in personal attacks,” Lokesh observed. The Yuva Galam pada yatra reached Rayalacheruvu of Tadipatri Assembly segment.

TDP general secretary, Lokesh, on Friday began his pada yatra, ‘Yuva Galam’, in a novel way taking up the campaign ‘No ganja bro’.

Tollywood hero and Hindupur MLA, Bala Krishna, who is also the father-in-law of Lokesh, joined the pada yatra at Garladinne to extend his solidarity with Lokesh. Both Lokesh and Bala Krishna, were seen wearing caps with the slogan ‘No more ganja bro’.

Later, addressing the local youth, Lokesh promised to take stringent measures, once the TDP forms the government again, to ensure that ganja will be no longer available in Andhra Pradesh.

Regretting the negligent attitude of the State Government in firmly dealing with the ganja mafia, Lokesh said that the YSRCP leaders, instead of avoiding ganja sale, are making it as a money-spinning source. Lokesh gave a call to the youth to completely avoid ganja and other drugs.

At Marthadu in Garladinne mandal of Singanamala Assembly segment, the pada yatra reached the milestone of 800 km. On this occasion, Lokesh announced that soon after the TDP is back in power, a chinni processing unit will be set up here.

Mounica, whose father was killed by rivals in 2005, pursued her studies with the help from NTR Trust, met Lokesh and thanked him profusely for helping her and her family members.

She fondly recalled how Chandrababu Naidu, as the chief minister of the State, extended a helping hand to her family. She belongs to KK Samudram of Bukkarayasamudram mandal of Anantapur district and she, along with her family members, came all the way to have a glimpse of Lokesh.

At Garladinne, Lokesh is given a rousing reception by the local TDP leaders and party activists. He greeted the Christians on the occasion of Good Friday.

TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh on Thursday said that soon after the TDP forms the next government, a separate legislation will be enacted for the safety and security of the Backward Classes (BCs) who are facing untold hardships during the YSRCP government.

During the ongoing pada yatra, ‘Yuva Galam’, Lokesh had an interaction with BC leaders at Kammuru of Uravakonda Assembly segment. After giving a patient hearing to their problems, Lokesh said that the community is being subjected to various kinds of harassment during the YSRCP rule and even the welfare schemes meant for them are not being implemented. The fee reimbursement scheme is also withdrawn, he added.

Stating that the TDP always stood by the BCs, Lokesh assured the leaders that all the welfare schemes will be revived once the TDP is back in power.

Also, budgetary allocation will be made to them as per the population ratio, the TDP national general secretary said, adding that a separate law will also be enacted for their safety. Residential colleges too will be established for BCs in all the Assembly segments as soon as the TDP forms the government, Lokesh observed.

Earlier, Lokesh performed special poojas at Lord Sangameswara temple at Kuderu before beginning his pada yatra.

The villagers of Aravakuru met Lokesh and explained in detail the issues that they are facing after the YSRCP came to power. Lokesh promised to take up all the issues, including construction of roads, once the TDP is back in power.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, who earlier threatened his own party MLAs that he will be selective while fielding them in the next elections, is pleading with them not to desert the party, observed Nara Lokesh, TDP general secretary, on Tuesday.

Lokesh’s pada yatra ‘Yuva Galam’ entered the Anantapur Assembly segment on Tuesday from Rapthadu. Addressing a public meeting at Vijaynagar of Anantapur segment, Lokesh said that Jagan Mohan Reddy is almost now falling at the feet of his own party MLAs not to leave the party.

”There is a total change in Mr Jagan after the recent Legislative Council poll results. Earlier he said that he will be selective in fielding them in the coming elections but now he is literally begging them not to leave the party,” Lokesh commented.

Stating that the Council poll results are only a trailer, and the real film is much ahead, Lokesh said that not even a single section of people are happy with the State Government now. False and illegal cases are being foisted against everyone who raises his or her voice, he said.

This apart, the lower- and middle-class people too are unhappy with the spiralling prices. ”On the one hand Mr Jagan is giving Rs 10 to the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes but on the other he is taking away Rs 100 from each of them either in the shape of taxes or by increasing the prices of essentials,” Lokesh observed.

As Lokesh’s pada yatra entered the Anantapur Assembly segment, the TDP leaders and activists gave a warm welcome to him. He visited the Rural Development Trust office and garlanded the picture of Vincent Ferrer who founded the trust. Lokesh later recalled how the trust is serving the people.

Almost all sections of people are suffering a lot and not even a single section is happy with the YSRCP rule, said TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Saturday.

Lokesh’s pada yatra, Yuva Galam, entered Dharmavaram Assembly segment on Saturday from Rapthadu segment where he is given a warm welcome by the local party leaders and activists, who gathered in large numbers under the leadership of Paritala Sriram, to receive their leader.

After watching the TIDCO (The Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Corporation) houses repainted, Lokesh remarked that “this sticker Chief Minister is colouring the TIDCO houses and he is the best colouring master.”

Observing that Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, is somehow or the other reducing the number of beneficiaries of all the welfare schemes, Lokesh also termed Jagan as a cutting-master. “The TIDCO houses were built during the TDP regime and Jagan is now repainting these houses to claim them to be that of his Government,” he stated.

At Namala Cross, the workers of the Satya Sai Water Works met Lokesh and complained to him that their salaries were not being paid on time. “Only when we go on an agitational path at least once in six months, our salaries are credited. Otherwise, no one is responding to our appeal,” they informed Lokesh and demanded that the 572 staff members who are now working for the Satya Sai Water Works be recognised as government employees.

Strongly condemning the State Government policy to neglect the Satya Sai Water Works project which was meeting the drinking water needs of the people of the combined Anantapur district, Lokesh said that the non-payment of the power bills and the salaries of the employees clearly indicate the bankruptcy of the Jagan Government.

He assured the workers that soon after the TDP is back into power the water works project will be adopted by the government and all the dues of the employees will be cleared.

Lokesh affectionately interacted with those who have come to meet him and inquired about the problems they are facing. Majority of them complained that the prices of essentials are skyrocketing and no welfare schemes are being implemented.

The TDP is committed for the welfare of the Brahmin community and soon after the party comes back to power all the welfare schemes for Brahmins that are discontinued now will be revived, said party general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Wednesday.

Representatives of the Rashtriya Brahmana Sanghatana met Lokesh at the Nallagondrayanapalli campsite and made a representation to him seeking revival of all the schemes for Brahmins as many of the schemes launched by the earlier TDP government are no longer in force. They also wanted one Lok Sabha seat and three Assembly seats to be allotted to Brahmins in the State.

Stating that it is the Chandrababu Naidu government that identified poverty in Brahmins and formed the Brahmin Corporation in 2014, Lokesh said adding that Rs 300 cr was allocated for the corporation. Also, Bharathi Vidya scheme, Gayatri Vidyaprasakthi scheme, Vasista Vidya scheme and Dronacharya scheme were also launched by the TDP government to give coaching for Brahmins for competitive exams, Lokesh pointed out.

Assuring the Brahmin representatives that all the schemes will be revived once the TDP is back into power, Lokesh also promised house-sites and pucca houses to them. He appealed to them to do their best to bring back the TDP to power.

On the occasion of the TDP Formation Day, Lokesh garlanded the statue of NTR at Nallagondrayanapalli of Penugonda Assembly segment and also felicitated some senior leaders of the party. Observing that the TDP flag always stood by the downtrodden sections of society, Mr Lokesh said that he feels proud as a Telugu person.

As Lokesh reached Somamdepalli as part of his pada yatra, Yuva Galam, the villagers and the local TDP leaders gave a warm welcome to him. Lokesh greeted all of them with affection and inquired about the problems they are facing. Many of them said that they are finding it difficult to make both ends meet with the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

After listening to the problems being faced by the brick kiln labourers at Mallapalli in Penugonda Assembly segment on Tuesday during his Yuva Galam pada yatra, TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh promised them that soon after the TDP forms the government brick-manufacturing will be recognised as a cottage industry and all the facilities will be provided to the labour.

Brink kiln plays a crucial role in the construction sector, Lokesh told the labourers and assured them that once the TDP is back into power within no time permissions will be given to transport the necessary material from the local ponds. Also, loans on subsidy will be sanctioned to the brick kiln industry to build necessary sheds, he said.

At Gummayyagaripalli campsite, teachers and other government employees met Lokesh and complained to him that Jagan Mohan Reddy, during his pada yatra as the leader of the Opposition promised to do away with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) but after becoming the Chief Minister he forgot the promise made to them. Besides, those who are fighting for their rights are being harassed, they informed Lokesh.

Strongly responding to them, Lokesh observed that the Jagan Mohan Reddy Government is adopting a suppressive attitude towards those who are fighting for their rights. In fact, in the whole country, Jagan takes the credit of drafting teachers for security duty near liquor shops, he remarked.

The State Government that is unable to pay the salaries of the employees on time is subjecting them to various kinds of problems, Lokesh stated. The TDP government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, is so great that Pay Revision Commission was implemented to the employees with 43 percent fitment, he pointed out. He promised to fulfil all the genuine demands of the government employees once the TDP is in power again.

At Palasamudram Cross, Lokesh interacted with Backward Classes representatives. Totally agreeing with the BC leaders, Lokesh said that attacks on the community are on the rise after the YSRCP came to power. At least 25,000 cases have been registered against BCs, he said and stated that once the TDP is into power all these cases will be lifted.

Even toddy-tappers are being subjected to various kinds of troubles, he said and promised to revive the Chandranna Bheema scheme when the TDP is into power.

TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday demanded either a CBI inquiry or a CID probe into the massive illegal land occupations in Peleru.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, the TDP national leader said that he abides by what he had said earlier on these land grabbing. “If you are daring enough, order either for a CBI probe or a CID inquiry into these illegal government land occupations,” Lokesh challenged Jagan in the letter.

He also enclosed a copy of the District Collector’s report on the matter and a copy of the video clipping of the statement made by local MLA, Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, on the floor of the Assembly.

Lokesh, who is on his Yuva Galam pada yatra, later told those who gathered in a massive scale to have a glimpse of their leader, that the TDP always wages a war against illegal land occupations in any part of the State. “What is surprising is that the State Government, instead of initiating action against those land grabbers, is fully cooperating with them,” Lokesh said.

Pointing out that in Peleru alone this mafia grabbed 601.37 acres of land, Lokesh said that the District Collector ordered for an inquiry into these land grabbing in 2021 and the sub-collector in his inquiry report recommended action against the persons concerned.

There are reports that the State Government is not taking any action in this matter as the ruling party leaders are involved in it, he remarked.

At Chalamaiahgaripalli village in Penugonda Assembly segment, representatives of the Vaddera community met Lokesh in large numbers and submitted a memorandum to him in which they said that not even a single welfare scheme is being implemented to them, including Pucca Houses and Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Lokesh promised sanction of houses to them soon after the TDP forms the government, and all the welfare schemes will be implemented to them besides pucca roads will be constructed in their villages.

At Geenabandla of Gorantla mandal in Penugonda constituency, Nayi Brahmin community leaders met Mr Lokesh and made an appeal to him that pension be granted to those who crossed 50 years of age and the community leaders be given representation in the trust boards of temples.

Lokesh assured them that all the necessary measures will be taken for the welfare of the community and subsidy loans will be extended to those who are managing saloons.

At Gorantla, Lokesh was received by a huge gathering of people and some of the TDP fans are seen climbing trees to have a glimpse of their leader.

The cruelty on the Dalit community continued even inside the Assembly, remarked TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, on Monday reacting to the attack on party MLA, Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy earlier in the day.

Veeranjaneya Swamy and another party MLA, Butchaiah Chowadary, called Lokesh over phone, when he began his pada, Yuva Galam, at Jogannapeta of Kadiri Assembly segment and informed him about the incident that took place inside the House. Strongly reacting to this, Mr Lokesh said the incident is a blackspot on democratic system.

“Is it a crime of the Dalit MLA, who on the floor of the Assembly raised the issue of proclamation of the GO number 1, which is as old as that of the Britisher’s time. The GO is brought in only to suppress the voice of people,” Lokesh remarked.

With the attack on the MLA, Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, once again proved that his war is against the Dalit community, he stated.

Later, talking to Butchaiah Chowadary, the TDP general secretary expressed surprise whether the people of the State are living in a democratic country or under a dictator. Demanding revocation of a GO, which is aimed at stifling the voice of the people, turned out to be a crime now, he observed.

Lokesh wanted all the democratic forces to strongly condemn Monday’s incident and said that Butchaiah Chowadary is a leader who always upholds the values of democracy. “It is a black day in the history of the State as a person, who crossed 70 years of age and whom I respect as a grandfather, fell victim to such an attack,” Lokesh said.

Perhaps, Jagan and the other YSRCP leaders are in a frustration after the MLC poll results, Lokesh commented and felt that there is no safety and security even for Dalits in this Raja Reddy constitution.

Lokesh said that the TDP leaders and activists are waging a war against this psycho rule and called upon the party leaders to continue their fight as the party will stand by them.

Later, Lokesh visited an ashram of the physically challenged at Motukupalli village of Kadiri mandal in Sathya Sai district and interacted with them. He inquired whether they are studying well and also inquired about the facilities available in the ashram.

The Yuva Galam pada yatra of TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh, reached the 600 km milestone at Nallacheruvu in Kadiri Assembly segment in the State on Sunday.

The TDP activists, youth, women and others gathered in a large-scale to welcome Lokesh at Nallacheruvu while the TDP national general secretary warmly greeted all of them. Several of those who gathered there took selfies with him.

When the youth complained to Lokesh that they are migrating to other States in search of employment as there are no job opportunities here in the past four years, Lokesh said that soon after the TDP is into power industries will be set up at the headquarters of every Assembly segment to provide jobs to the youth. Also, the prices of essential commodities will be brought down besides the tax burden on the common man will be reduced.

At Ratnalapalli, Kuruba community representatives submitted a memorandum to Lokesh in which they said that no funds have been allocated for the Kuruba Corporation.

“Once the TDP forms the government again all your problems will be resolved and the corporation too will be allocated funds which will help the youth from the community,” Lokesh assured them.

The handloom workers too narrated their cup of owes to Lokesh and wanted pension be sanctioned to those who cross 45 years of age. They also wanted power supply at subsides rates for handloom workers.

The State Government purchased cloth from Apco for making masks during the Carona pandemic and the dues are yet to be cleared for Apco, Lokesh pointed out and promised to clear all the dues to Apco immediately after the TDP is back in power. He also promised supply of power at subsidy.