Anakapalli: Nara Lokesh, the youth leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), marked the 220th day of his YuvaGalam Padayatra today. Commencing from Namavaram in the Payakaraopeta assembly constituency on Tuesday morning, Lokesh engaged with betel farmers during this leg of the journey. The farmers at Namavaram in Payakaraopeta Mandal appealed to Lokesh for the inclusion of betel plantations in the crop insurance scheme.
In response, Lokesh highlighted the agricultural crisis prevailing under the leadership of Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy. He criticized Jagan for selectively providing insurance to only 16 farmers, despite assuring coverage for all. Lokesh pointed out that under the YSRCP’s governance, the state witnessed a distressing rise, ranking 3rd in farmers’ suicides and 2nd in tenant farmers’ suicides nationwide. Lokesh pledged that, if the TDP returns to power, comprehensive measures, including crop insurance and input subsidies, will be implemented to support and uplift farmers, ensuring the profitability of agriculture.