Vijayawada: YSRCP president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday assured legal and political support to farmers from the Amaravati capital region, who alleged coercion and irregularities in the ongoing land pooling and land acquisition process. He stated that the YSRCP will review the land acquisition process once it returns to power and ensure justice to affected landowners.
Farmers meet Jagan
Farmers from Undavalli, Penumaka, Nidamarru, Yerrabalem and Kuragallu met Jagan at the YSRCP central office and complained that the state government was exerting pressure to part with their land parcels in the name of capital city development. They alleged that despite refusing to join land pooling schemes, their lands were being shown as acquired in official records. In some cases, returnable plots had allegedly been registered in favour of others.
Legal panel announced
After hearing their grievances, Jagan announced that the YSRCP would constitute a dedicated legal panel to fight on behalf of affected farmers. He charged that the government was resorting to forceful land acquisition and said his party would pursue legal remedies to protect farmers’ interests.
“The farmers should be happy with any development model. More than 50,000 acres have already been acquired for the capital. Why is there a need for another 50,000 acres?” Jagan wondered.
Political context
The YSRCP chief’s assurance comes amid rising tensions over land acquisition for the Amaravati capital city. The issue has become a political flashpoint, with the opposition accusing the ruling TDP of high-handedness. Jagan’s promise of legal support is seen as an attempt to consolidate the farmer vote bank ahead of the next elections.
The YSRCP has vowed to address the grievances of landowners and ensure transparency in the land pooling process. The dedicated legal panel will provide free legal aid to affected farmers and pursue cases in courts if necessary.
