Jagan dares Cong to go for mid-term polls

Describing the Andhra Pradesh government as "inefficient", YSR Congress on Tuesday dared the ruling party to dissolve the assembly and call fresh elections to test its popularity.

Addressing a gathering at a sit-in organised in support of farmers at district collectorate here, YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the state government was "inefficient" as it has failed on several fronts, and challenged it to hold mid-term polls.

The Kadapa MP slammed the Kiran Reddy administration for failing to supply electricity for seven hours to the agriculturists as promised Due to the government's inability, Andhra Pradesh has failed to get its due share of power from southern grid, he alleged.

Though the workers at Singareni coal mines had given strike notice well in advance, the government failed to take precautionary measures to prevent power crisis, Jagan said.

Poor power supply has caused a loss of Rs 5,200 crore to the farmers this kharif season, he said, adding farmers now a days feel farming is no more a productive occupation.

The farmers and people of the state would teach a lesson to the ruling Congress, he maintained.

He alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government was foisting false cases on the leaders who are fighting for the cause of farmers and common people.

Jagan later submitted a memorandum to the District collector listing his demands, which included ensuring supply of seven hours of power to farmers for agriculture purposes and compensation to the agriculturists, who have sustained losses due to drought, power cuts and floods in the state.

He appealed to the Government to notify 435 mandals, who received scanty rainfall, as drought affected.

Due to the increasing cost of inputs, the paddy cultivation has become costly. Hence, the Government should announce Rs 300 per quintal bonus over and above the Minimum Support Price, the Kadapa MP said.