Nizamabad: About 50 turmeric farmers of Nizamabad district have left for Varanasi to file their nomination papers to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the BJP candidate. They were led by the farmers association president, a TRS leader.
This is the second LS constituency they are contesting to draw attention to their plight; about 180 farmers had contested from Nizamabad where the prime contestant was TRS MP K. Kavitha.
Turmeric farmers, who contested as independent candidates from Nizamabad made it clear that those going to Varanasi were not connected to their agitation. They neither contested in Nizamabad nor participated in the agitation, they said.
Farmers from Nizamabad Rural, Balkonda and Armoor Assembly constituencies have decided to file mass nominations in Varanasi.
The last date for filing of nominations at the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency is April 29. The farmers tried to book train tickets but could not do so. They engaged a tourist bus to take them to Varanasi by April 26. They intend to use the opportunity to get national attention for their plight.
Speaking to newsmen in Armoor on Thursday, the farmers said that they were not against any party or leader. “We will contest as independent candidates from Varanasi to highlight the problems of turmeric farmers” they said.
Independent candidates require the support of 10 local voters to file their nomination papers, and the Nizamabad farmers have got in touch with their counterparts in Varanasi. In addition, turmeric farmers from Erode in Tamil Nadu are also filing mass nominations in Varanasi.
Telangana Turmeric Farmers Association president and TRS leader Kotapati Narasimha Naidu said they will support the farmers to contest in Varanasi.
“We will extend moral support to the farmers in their demand to set up turmeric board and ensure remunerative price,” Mr Narasimha Naidu said.
Replying to a question, he said the farmers may come under pressure not to contest as Varanasi is the Prime Minister's constituency.
