Hyderabad: Alleging that the TRS government in Telangana has let farmers down, the main opposition Congress on Friday held protests both within and outside the Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the session.
The Congress, which called for a 'Chalo Assembly' protest on farmers' issues, highlighted their problems in the House, leading to a din.
Seeking an immediate debate on the farmers' issues, the Congress members, holding placards, entered the well of the House and kept raising slogans against the TRS government though the Question Hour continued.
The Congress members stayed put in the well and shouted slogans till the Question Hour was over when Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy adjourned the House to Monday.
They held a protest outside the legislature building as well.
"They (TRS government) have completely failed in providing MSP (minimum support price) and in fulfilling the promises made in the Assembly. The Telangana government still owes Rs 3,000 crore as interest to farmers as it only implemented farmers' loan waiver in instalment," state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy told reporters.
Congress leaders claimed that scores of party workers and leaders have been taken into custody by police to prevent them from taking part in the 'Chalo Assembly'.
Congress MP and former union minister Renuka Chowdhury, who too participated in a protest, charged that the TRS government was anti-farmer.
Hitting out at the Congress, state irrigation and legislative affairs minister T Harish Rao alleged that the opposition was not keen on a debate in the House.
Congress, which failed to improve the lot of farmers' during its long rule, is now shedding crocodile tears, he alleged.
The opposition BJP and TDP MLAs also sought to highlight the farmers' plight by taking up a foot march before commencement of the session, displaying crop damaged due to recent heavy rains.
