Is It Fair To Threaten The Poor When Reminded Of Your Promises, Chandrababu?  

Pedana, Krishna District: My Padayatra today was spent amidst farmers, weavers, Kalamkari craftsmen and fishermen. I heard them out as they narrated their problems and assured them of better days in the new future. “Sir, in my entire life it is only twice that I saw the Rama Raju Canal go dry. The first time was during Chandrababu Naidu‘s previous tenure and the second time, when he returned to power. During your father, the late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy‘s rule, we had enough water for our fields and agriculture brought prosperity to the farmers. During Chandrababu Naidu's first spell, the prices of agricultural land fell steeply to as low as rupees four lakhs per acre, but during your father’s rule, they rose to nearly a crore! Under Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the farmer was king. However, in Chandrababu’s rule, once again we face a dire crisis. Our fields do not have adequate water and the rates of agricultural land have once again fallen sharply. Worse, there are no buyers."

These are the words of Ayub Khan and Mahankali Rao, two local farmers.

Another such story came to light as I proceeded further. Panchakarla Jalandhara and Mounika, a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law broke down as they told me that they were once successful farmers with 5 acres of land to their name. During Chandrababu’s first stint as chief minister, they fell upon bad days. Their farming activity suffered and they ran into losses, as a result of which they were compelled to sell their land. They were forced to become tenant farmers. “During your father’s period, we could cultivate two crops and we were happy even as tenant farmers. To our misfortune, Chandrababu Naidu returned to power once again and our problems began. We don’t get water even for a single crop adequately and things have reached a point where we are unable to pay the rent.  To add to our woes, my only son is afflicted with cancer. As Arogyasri was not extended, we were forced to spend Rs.5 lakhs for his treatment. Neck deep in debt, we had to sell our house,” they told me with great sadness, as their eyes welled up with tears.

I was deeply disturbed by the fact that the farmer everywhere seemed to be overcome with sorrow and in a state of despair. During my father’s rule, the farmer was a happy man, taking pride in his agricultural activity.

Fisherman of Bandar and Pedana met me and poured out their woes to me. They said that before the elections, Chandrababu Naidu had promised many things to them and gave them a host of assurances. However, none of these were fulfilled, and when questioned, he threatened them. “Where do we go now?” They were righteously angry with him for his betrayal, considering he had assured them of transforming their lives.

Sravanthi and Hemalatha narrated how the government was totally insensitive to the problems of the weaving community. “Anna, we do not get even 100 rupees or Rs.150 on days on which we find work.  We are forced to starve on days when there is no work. If, to our misfortune, we suffer from any sickness, there is no hope for us. During your father’s period, we had health cards and could easily get loans. We have neither now and are at a loss to understand how to survive in these difficult days.“

Pedana is a celebrated centre of KalakKari art The legendary work of craftsmen from Pedana is showcased in Salarjung Museum and London, a testimony to their outstanding work. As they showed their art, Sakkubai and Mahanti Padmaja came to me And narrated the many problems they were beset with to me. Day-to-day living became a Herculean struggle for them, they said.

I have a question for the chief minister—be it members of the weaving community, Kalamkari craftsmen or fishermen—no matter which section of society one interacts with, the common refrain is that you have betrayed every single promise and gone back on every single commitment you made to them.  Is it fair threaten them when they remind you of your commitments?