It appears YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is making every effort to win back the confidence of the people in the twin Godavari districts – East and West Godavari, which are crucial for any party in the assembly elections in order to come to power in the state.
While reviving efforts to attract the Kapu vote bank in these two districts, Jagan is also focusing on issues concerning aqua farmers, who are considered a key political force in the region.
According to party sources, Jagan has decided to intensify his campaign against the state government by highlighting the problems faced by aqua farmers in the Godavari region.
Recently, delegations of aqua farmers from the Godavari districts met him and explained the difficulties confronting the aquaculture sector.
Jagan reportedly assured them that if the government failed to resolve their problems, he would personally lead a protest in the Godavari districts.
The development comes after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the issues affecting the aquaculture industry.
While the chief minister reportedly directed officials to reduce aqua feed prices by Rs 4 per kilogram, YSRCP leaders claim that prices have been reduced by only Rs 2.
The opposition also alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its promise of providing electricity subsidies on a per-acre basis and had not issued even a single new subsidised power connection to aqua farms.
According to the party, this failure has significantly increased hardships for farmers during the summer season.
Against this backdrop, Jagan is scheduled to visit Bhimavaram on July 15 to express solidarity with aqua farmers.
He is expected to hold discussions with farmers’ organisations before announcing the party’s future course of action.
YSRCP leader Prasad Raju alleged that instead of protecting farmers, the government was safeguarding feed syndicates, exporters and middlemen.
He reiterated that the government had promised to reduce feed prices by Rs 4 per kilogram after coming to power but had implemented only a Rs 2 reduction.
He further alleged that the promised electricity subsidy had not materialised and that no new subsidised power connections had been provided.
According to the party, mounting losses have forced many aqua farmers to consider suspending cultivation.
Prasad Raju said Jagan’s visit to Bhimavaram was intended to reassure farmers, understand their concerns directly and announce an action plan to support the sector.
