Jagan launches fast for farmers

In limelight:YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy at the ‘Rythu Deeksha' in Guntur on Sunday. To his left is Nellore MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy.

GUNTUR: YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy began a 48-hour hunger strike “Rythu Deeksha” in support of distressed farmers at the sprawling ground near Agricultural Market Yard here amid large presence of YSR loyalists, party leaders and farmers.
Savouring the success of the by-polls, Mr. Jagan launched the fast in the presence of six Congress MLAs – Balineni Srinivasa Reddy (Ongole), Konda Surekha (Parkal), Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy (Macherla), M. Sucharita (Pratthipadu), G. Srikanth Reddy (Rayachoti) and B. Sivaprasad Reddy (Darsi) and TDP MLA N. Prasanna Kumar Reddy (Kovur). Congress MP from Nellore Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy also joined the protest. Party MLCs - Jupudi Prabhakar Rao, Pulla Padmavati and Desai Tippa Reddy were among the loyalists, who participated.
Disqualification notices served on rebel Congress MLAs did not deter his supporters from marking their attendance. Indications available suggest the number of MLAs joining the protest would go up by the time the MP-elect ends his fast on May 17.
Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy first paid floral tributes at his father's statue and greeted the crowd before taking his seat on the stage.
Though, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy, who sat on an elevated dais surrounded by large number of his supporters, did not address the gathering, other leaders described his protest as an indication of his commitment and dedication to the cause of resolving problems of the farmers. They asserted that in fighting for people's problems, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy was the only true inheritor of late YSR's legacy and none could dare to stake claim.
Speakers wondered why AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi was not taking up the cause of farmers in Congress-ruled States like Andhra Pradesh, where the farmers' plight was worsening because of the total failure of the government.
The party top brass however maintained that it was an event aimed at exerting pressure on the Central and State governments to not merely show concern for the plight of farmers' but to take concrete measures to alleviate their suffering.
Addressing the large gathering which comprised farmers and general public, Ms. Surekha said Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy's fast was not to rope in MLAs of other parties to his side but to highlight the grievances of farmers.
Among others, NTR TDP president N. Lakshmi Parvathi and former TTD Trust Board chairman B. Karunakar Reddy were present.