YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu orchestrated the disruption of a farmers’ meeting he held at Podili in Prakasam district, by sending around 40 Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers who instigated violence and chaos during the gathering.

In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (June 14, 2025), Mr. Reddy claimed that the incident was an attempt to derail a serious discussion concerning the severe distress faced by tobacco farmers, many of whom are struggling with poor returns for their crops and ongoing financial instability.

Podili Meet Marred by Tensions

The meeting, attended by more than 40,000 farmers, was meant to provide a platform to hear their grievances and extend support. However, Mr. Reddy said that TDP-affiliated individuals disrupted the session by pelting stones and provoking unrest, risking public safety in an already emotionally charged atmosphere.

Despite the provocation, the farmers maintained calm and chose not to retaliate, he added, praising their restraint and discipline in the face of potential violence.

Jagan Slams Naidu's 'Ruinous Rule'

Mr. Reddy also launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Naidu, accusing him of being more focused on political gains than on the actual problems of the agrarian community.

He said, “Instead of listening to the woes of the farmers, Mr. Naidu booked police cases against them and labelled them as rowdies.” He drew a historical parallel, comparing Naidu’s attitude to Nero fiddling while Rome burned, a metaphor suggesting that the CM was celebrating his one year in office while farmers were ending their lives in despair.

“You [Mr. Naidu] created a violent situation that could have been devastating given the huge number of people that were present. I condemn these despicable acts in the strictest manner and urge you to help the farmers,” Mr. Reddy said in his post.

Farmers' Distress a Persistent Crisis

The farm crisis in Andhra Pradesh, particularly among tobacco growers, has been a central issue over the past several months. The region around Podili and other parts of Prakasam district are major centres for tobacco cultivation, and many farmers have repeatedly flagged distress due to price volatility, input costs, and lack of timely procurement support.

The YSRCP has accused the current government of ignoring these issues, while the TDP counters by alleging misgovernance under the previous YSRCP rule.

Political Tempers Rising

The incident at Podili reflects the rising political tensions in Andhra Pradesh following the 2024 Assembly elections, where Chandrababu Naidu returned to power with a decisive mandate. Since taking office, his government has initiated several policy shifts, but the YSRCP has maintained that the new administration is vengeful and anti-farmer.

This clash at a farmer-centric event comes at a time when both parties are mobilising their bases ahead of panchayat elections and other key local body polls scheduled later this year.

No Official Response from TDP Yet

As of now, TDP leaders have not issued an official response to Mr. Reddy’s accusations. However, party insiders have termed the charges as politically motivated, claiming that law and order was maintained at all times and that the meeting lacked proper permissions.

Meanwhile, police officials in Prakasam district confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the incident, and video evidence is being reviewed to identify instigators of the disturbance.

As political narratives continue to clash, the plight of farmers remains at the centre of this unfolding drama. Whether this controversy leads to corrective actions or further polarisation remains to be seen — but it has undeniably added fuel to Andhra Pradesh’s already volatile political

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