TDP, BJP stage dharna leaders arrested

DEMAND FOR One-Time WAIVER OF FARM LOANS

They meet the Governor and urge him to come to the rescue of farmers

Hyderabad: Telangana TDP and BJP leaders staged “Maha Dharna” in front of the SBH head office here on Monday. A good number of farmers too participated in the dharna. The two parties staged dharna in support of their demand for one-time waiver of farm loans as promised by the TRS during its election campaign.

The police whisked away the leaders of the two parties along with a few farmers. T TDP president L Ramana and BJP floor leader K Laxman were among those who were taken into custody and shifted to nearby police stations. The TDP leader said that the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had failed to fulfil the election promise that he would waive all farm loans up to Rs 1 lakh, if voted to power.

Laxman said the delay in the waiver of loans had resulted in increasing number of farmers committing suicide. He threatened that the TDP and BJP would intensify agitation if the government failed to concede their demand. Later, the leaders’ delegation from two parties met Governor E S L Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and explained the plight of the farming community in the Telangana State. They urged the Governor to come to the rescue of the farmers.