Telangana Chief Minister and TRS party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, and said that he was 'disappointed' with the NDA government 'ignoring' the agriculture sector.
“I met Modi and other ministers at least 20 times. I requested them to link MGNREGA with agriculture. But they didn’t respond. I even mentioned it to the chief economic advisor to the NDA government, Arvind Subramanian, who met me recently. They only listen, but do nothing. There is nothing for me to fear. Let me say I am thoroughly disappointed with Modi,” KCR was quoted as saying.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Regional Farmers’ Coordination meeting at Ambedkar Stadium in Hyderabad.
KCR also said that he found no difference in the 'anti-farmer' policies of the previous UPA government's tenure and the present NDA-led Central government.
“Like Congress, the BJP government is also neglecting agriculture sector and is adopting anti-farmer and anti-people policies. There is no difference between the two. Both are anti-farmer,” KCR was quoted as saying.
The Telangana Chief Minister also said that TRS MPs would raise the issue in the Parliament which is scheduled to resume from March 5.
As far as the water needs for agriculture were concerned, KCR said, "Though about 70,000 tmc water is available in India, only 35% to 40% of it is being utilised. This kind of situation could lead to revolt by farmers and Telangana Farmers' Coordination Committees would lead the agitation.”
He also accused the BJP of raising the issue of the interlinking of Godavari and Cauvery rivers only with the Karnataka elections on their mind.
"The Centre could not clearly spell out our share in the Godavari river. They appoint tribunals for that. Now have they started Godavari-Cauvery interlinking. What is the drama and conspiracy behind that move? Karnataka is going for elections. So, drama began. Why didn’t the BJP attempt this (Godavari-Cauvery interlinking) soon after they came to power?" the CM asked.