Jogu Ramanna Accuses BJP Leaders of Ignoring Farmers’ Distress

Former minister Jogu Ramanna strongly criticised BJP MLA Payal Shankar and MP G Nagesh, accusing them of neglecting farmers’ issues in the district. Speaking at a protest held in front of the Collectorate on Monday, Ramanna alleged that both State and Central governments had failed to address pressing agricultural problems.

He highlighted procurement failures, stating that nearly 1,300 quintals of soybean were lying unsold in agricultural market yards. Ramanna urged Collector Rajarshi Shah to immediately consult farmers and take steps to ensure procurement, expressing disappointment over what he described as official insensitivity toward oilseed growers.

The former minister also flagged an acute urea shortage, claiming that farmers were struggling to purchase fertilisers despite booking slots. Warning of intensified agitation, Ramanna announced plans for a series of protests if the government failed to act.

Appealing emotionally to farmers, he urged them not to resort to suicide and instead unite in protest. He called for a district-wide bandh on Tuesday to highlight the government’s alleged negligence and warned that they would obstruct Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy if he visited the district on January 8.