Hyderabad, December 19: A large number of people thronged the MLA Quarters to express their solidarity with Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu, whose indefinite fast entered the second day today.
Right from morning, farmers from coastal Andhra, women and students visited the camp and supported Naidu’s agitation. The turnout was more today when compared to yesterday. Women, aged people and students waited in queues to see Naidu.
Some farmers brought with them dried up paddy and other damaged crops to show them to Naidu. Despite a day’s fast, Naidu looked energetic and smiling while receiving the visitors.
Naidu’s wife Bhuvaneswari, son Lokesh, daughter-in-law Brahmani and brother-in-law Jayakrishna too visited the fast camp.
Meanwhile, Naidu dashed off a letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh informing him about the fast. He urged the prime minister to initiate a national debate on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and the Working Group of Agricultural Production to arrive at a national consensus to make farming a remunerative enterprise in order to save farmers from the painful episode of suicides.
Elsewhere in the state, TDP workers staged protests and burnt the damaged crops in some places. The series of agitations by farmers would continue simultaneously across the state, TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, state secretary BV Raghavulu, former prime minister Deve Goud and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav too called on Naidu. Fully supporting Naidu’s demand for an input subsidy of `10,000 per acre, Prakash Karat said they would make AP’s issue a national one in order to build a farmers’ movement. The farmer should be the centre of development and agriculture should be made profitable, they said.
Raghavulu said Naidu has been sleeping on a wooden platform without a bed.
“Naidu told me it was also a part of his protest. I know Naidu’s commitment, but his health is also important for people,” Raghavulu said.
Those who visited the fast camp to extend support to Naidu included Consortium of Indian Farmers’ Association secretary general P Chengal Reddy and Telangana Lok Satta leaders.A team of doctors belonging to the TDP are keeping a watch on Naidu’s health. Except for a slight increase in the blood pressure, Naidu’s health remained stable today.
–Agencies