Turmeric farmers file nominations in protest against 'falure'

Some turmeric farmers in Jagitial and Nizamabad districts of Telangana have filed nominations from Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency in protest against the 'failure' of successive state and central governments to help them get higher prices for produce, a famers' leader said.

"The farmers have decided to field 1,000 candidates in the elections to register their ire over the alleged failure of state and central governments in providing MSP," Pidugu Raja Reddy, a farmers leader of Ailapur in Jagtial district in Telangana.

"Our target is to field 1000 candidates from Nizamabad Lok Sabha Constituency", Raja Reddy said.

The farmers have been seeking MSP of Rs 15,000 per quintal against the around Rs 5,000 which they are reportedly getting now.

They have also demanded setting up a turmeric board for the benefit of farmers.

"Our demand is genuine as it takes nine months to get turmeric crop. So we need MSP (Minimum Support Price) of Rs 15,000 per quintal,: another farmer, Eleti Pulla Reddy, said.

Some farmers have already filed nominations, they said.

Official sources said 52 independents have filed their nominations so far.

March 25 is the last date to file nominations.

TRS MP K Kavitha, daughter of party president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is seeking re-election from Nizamabad.

Madhu Yashki Goud is her Congress rival.

Telangana goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11.