KTR accuses Congress cadres of urea black marketing, demands White Paper on fertilizer supplies

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao alleged that fertilizer stocks were being diverted and sold in the black market by Congress leaders, forcing lakhs of farmers to queue up for hours across the State. He also demanded that the State government release a White Paper on the fertilizer situation, providing details on the quota allocated and supplied to the State, stock position in warehouses, actual distribution to farmers and quantities diverted or missing.

Speaking to the media from his residence in Nandinagar on Wednesday, he said, “For the first time in Telangana’s history, women farmers are spending nights outside depots, farmers are leaving shoes and Aadhaar cards in queues to save their place, and in some cases, even facing police cases for demanding fertilizers,” he said. The former Minister also urged the Centre to order a comprehensive investigation and take action against those responsible for the shortage of fertilizer in the State.

On the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, Mr. Rama Rao declared that the BRS will extend support only to the party that ensures the supply of 2 lakh metric tonnes of urea before September 9. “No alliance has approached us yet. But our decision will be taken solely in the interest of Telangana farmers. If the Congress Chief Minister nominates a candidate, we will oppose without hesitation,” he said.

Mr. Rama Rao also accused the Congress of hypocrisy on social justice, pointing out that despite claiming affection for BCs, the party had not nominated a BC leader for the Vice-Presidential post. “If they were serious, they could have fielded intellectuals like Kancha Ilaiah or any eminent BC leader,” he remarked.

The BRS working president slammed both Congress and BJP for failing Telangana. He criticised Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent on the fertilizer crisis despite his ‘Rythu Declaration’ promises. “Rahul has not uttered a single word in Parliament while Telangana farmers are in distress. This exposes his double standards,” Mr. Rama Rao said.