Telangana Congress MPs protest in Parliament over urea shortage

Delhi: Telangana Congress Members of Parliament staged a strong protest in New Delhi on Monday, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of deliberately withholding the state’s full urea allocation. Holding placards in front of Parliament, they demanded immediate release of the pending quota to prevent a deepening crisis for farmers across Telangana.

The MPs alleged that Telangana farmers are facing severe hardship because of an artificial shortage of urea, a key fertiliser for paddy cultivation. They said while the state was promised 8 lakh tonnes of urea, only 5.32 lakh tonnes were supplied, leaving a shortfall of nearly 3 lakh tonnes. The MPs said they would continue their agitation until the central government ensures delivery of the remaining quota.

Following their demonstration at Parliament, the MPs addressed a press conference at Telangana Bhavan in the national capital. Senior leaders including Mallu Ravi, Balram Naik, Kiran Kumar, Suresh Shetkar, Anil Kumar, and Vamsi Krishna criticised the centre and questioned the silence of BJP MPs from Telangana.

Mallu Ravi highlights crisis of farmers

Congress MP Mallu Ravi said farmers in Telangana, particularly paddy cultivators, are under immense pressure because of inadequate fertiliser supply. “The central government promised 8 lakh tonnes of urea for the state. However, only 5.32 lakh tonnes have been delivered so far. Nearly 3 lakh tonnes are still pending. This is creating immense difficulties for farmers, especially since paddy cultivation requires significant urea inputs,” he explained.

He recalled that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao had already met Union Minister J.P. Nadda and requested allocation of the pending quota, but no action was taken. Ravi said the Telangana Congress MPs had raised the matter through adjournment motions, zero-hour notes, and interventions in Parliament, but the House had been repeatedly adjourned. “We are following every parliamentary procedure. If no positive response comes, we are prepared to intensify the agitation, including staging protests outside the minister’s office,” he warned.

According to him, not only Congress MPs but also 25 other parliamentarians from different parties had extended support. “We are united in our demand that the centre release the 3 lakh tonnes immediately,” Ravi added.

Balram Naik criticises bias in fertiliser policy

MP Balram Naik, a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, said the situation revealed systemic bias against Telangana farmers. “There is a urea factory at Ramagundam in Telangana. Yet, the administrative office is located in Noida, and around 40 staff members work there instead of at the production site. This arrangement itself is discriminatory,” he alleged.

Naik said that despite repeated questions in the Standing Committee, the issue was not addressed. “In Allahabad, factories have offices on site. Why not in Ramagundam? The BJP government is deliberately ensuring that fertiliser produced in Telangana is diverted elsewhere, instead of being supplied to local farmers. This is a conspiracy against Telangana farmers,” he charged.

He further questioned why BJP MPs from Telangana remained silent while farmers were struggling. “Instead of supporting the state, they are watching silently as the centre withholds supplies, causing problems for farmers and tarnishing the reputation of the Telangana government,” Naik said.

Kiran Kumar recalls earlier representations

Congress MP Kiran Kumar reminded that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had personally met Union Minister J.P. Nadda in June to highlight the issue. “The Chief Minister had warned in June itself that if the allocation was delayed until August, farmers would suffer immensely. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao also made a separate representation. Yet, the centre has ignored these requests,” he stated.

Kiran Kumar demanded that the eight BJP MPs from Telangana, including two Union Ministers, must also pressurise the government. “This is not just a Congress issue. This is a farmers’ issue. If BJP MPs truly represent Telangana, they should join us in demanding immediate allocation of urea. We are fighting sincerely for the farmers. They should do the same,” he urged.

Suresh Shetkar accuses centre of discrimination

Congress MP Suresh Shetkar alleged that the central government was discriminating against Congress-ruled states. “Shortages are visible mainly in Telangana and Karnataka, both ruled by the Congress. This shows the discriminatory approach of the BJP. Farmers cannot be punished because of political rivalry. We are not asking BJP MPs to fight for us. We are asking them to fight for farmers. They have a responsibility,” he said.

Shetkar added that Telangana requires more urea than allocated, but at least the promised quota should be delivered. “When Telangana Congress leaders fought for statehood, BJP MPs did not support us. Now again they are silent. Farmers are struggling. This is unacceptable,” he added.

Anil Kumar questions BJP MPs’ silence

Congress MP Anil Kumar said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had anticipated the shortage and raised it well in advance. “Despite repeated appeals, the centre ignored it. Farmers are now suffering. Congress MPs are continuously raising the issue in Parliament and outside, but what are BJP MPs doing? Do they not see the plight of Telangana farmers?” he asked.

He said BJP MPs should join Congress MPs in meeting J.P. Nadda. “This is about farmers, not political mileage. We want all representatives from Telangana to fight together for urea. Farmers cannot be left in distress,” Anil Kumar stated.

Vamsi Krishna alleges conspiracy and mismanagement

MP Vamsi Krishna alleged that the BJP was deliberately depriving Telangana of fertiliser. “For three months, the Chief Minister, the Agriculture Minister, and MPs have been approaching the centre. Yet, no urea has been supplied. We have been saying since last year that the BJP is anti-farmer. Now the evidence is before everyone,” he said.

Krishna pointed to the Ramagundam Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) plant, which should produce 12 lakh tonnes annually but is operating at only 9 lakh tonnes. “Thirty percent of the plant remains shut due to mismanagement. When the factory was once closed, MP Gaddam Vivek had approached then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and secured ₹10,000 crore relief for its reopening. Today, the same plant is being underutilised. This is clearly a case of mismanagement,” he alleged.

He claimed that fertiliser manufactured at Ramagundam was being diverted outside Telangana. “This is nothing but theft. Farmers here are left with empty hands while urea produced in their own state is sent elsewhere. It is a betrayal,” Krishna charged.

MPs vow to escalate agitation

The Congress MPs said they would not relent until the 3 lakh tonnes of pending quota was released. They announced that they had already filed motions for discussion until August 21, and would stage continuous protests if no action was taken.

They also revealed plans to make a detailed PowerPoint presentation highlighting pending issues of Telangana in front of the Union government. The MPs said if J.P. Nadda refused to meet them, they would stage demonstrations outside his office.

All the MPs jointly appealed to farmers to stay patient while they pursued the issue in Parliament and on the streets. “We are united. This is not just a Congress struggle, it is a farmers’ struggle,” they emphasised.