BRS stages dharna in Warangal, submits memorandum listing farmers' demands
Warangal: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) held a public dharna outside the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) office in Warangal on Thursday as part of its statewide agitation, alleging that the Congress government had failed farmers in its first 1,000 days in office. The protest was led by former Warangal East MLA Nannapuneni Narendar, who later handed over a memorandum detailing farmers’ demands to local revenue officials, according to party sources.
The demonstration formed part of the BRS’s week-long “Jung Siren–Samara Shankam” campaign, scheduled from September 2 to 8, through which the party is highlighting issues on farm loan waivers, irrigation, power supply, crop insurance and procurement. The Warangal dharna drew a mix of party workers and local farmers, with organisers alleging shortages of agricultural inputs and a decline in power reliability since the change of state government.
Farmers at the protest recalled the 24-hour free power supply provided during the previous BRS regime and alleged that power supply had become erratic under the present government.
In the memorandum submitted at the MRO office, the BRS listed demands including immediate action on farm loan relief, measures to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, assured procurement at MSP-equivalent prices and timely disbursal of crop insurance. Party leaders also raised concerns about the availability of fertilisers and seeds at local outlets, saying farmers were facing long queues to obtain basic inputs.
- Farm loan waivers and debt relief mechanisms;
- Irrigation improvements and safeguarding water for cropping cycles;
- Power supply — restoration of reliable farm electricity; and
- Inputs and procurement — timely supply of urea, seeds and assured procurement systems.
Former MLA Nannapuneni Narendar addressed the gathering, accusing the current state administration of adopting policies that he described as unfavourable to cultivators and of not fulfilling pre-election assurances. The protest, party sources said, aims to draw attention to agrarian distress at a time when paddy and other Kharif crops are approaching critical stages in the district.
Local farmers who joined the dharna spoke of operational difficulties at retail outlets and the burden of rising input prices. Party organisers emphasised that the agitation was peaceful and administrative staff at the MRO office received the memorandum for onward action.
| Issue | Claim by BRS |
|---|---|
| Urea and seeds | Shortages and long queues at distribution outlets |
| Electricity for farms | Supply erratic compared to previous regime's 24-hour provision |
| Loan waivers | Demand for immediate relief and clear policy on outstanding loans |
| Procurement and insurance | Calls for assured procurement and quicker crop insurance settlements |
Statewide, the BRS has framed the campaign as a platform to pressure the government on rural distress and delivery of promised schemes. In Warangal, the timing of the dharna coincides with critical stages in the agricultural calendar and with heightened attention on rural livelihoods across Telangana.
Local governance experts and farmer groups in the district have in the past highlighted the interlinked nature of irrigation, electricity and input supply in determining cropping choices and incomes. Any sustained disruption in fertiliser or seed availability, or an unreliable power regime for pumps, can affect sowing operations and yield prospects, they say.
The memorandum submitted in Warangal requests action at the district and state levels and seeks a formal response within a stipulated period. Officials at the MRO office acknowledged receipt of the document but did not give an immediate timeline for redressal. The BRS has indicated it will escalate its agitation if satisfactory steps are not taken, continuing its planned activities under the Jung Siren–Samara Shankam banner through September 8.
As the campaign unfolds, Warangal’s farmers and civic stakeholders will be watching for administrative follow-up on the memorandum and for any measures from the state government addressing the demands raised on the streets of the district.
Reporting from Warangal.
