Rajya Sabha MP Sana Satish Babu has slammed YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for “inciting tobacco farmers” on the problems being faced by them, and insisted that, having done nothing to improve their lot during the YSRCP regime, the former CM has no moral right to speak about their welfare.

Addressing media persons along with fellow TDP MPs Bhashyam Ramakrishna and Chintakayala Vijay on Wednesday, Mr. Satish Babu said under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, the coalition government stood by the farmers from seed to sale, despite challenges arising from the global tobacco market.

He highlighted that the government, in coordination with the Centre, ensured the procurement of virginia tobacco, by allocating ₹188 crore for it, announced ₹20 incentive per kg, provided ₹50,000 interest-free loans to around 45,000 farmers, and ensured that the tobacco prices did not fall below ₹200 per kg.

In contrast, Mr. Babu alleged, the YSRCP Government had neglected the plight of tobacco farmers between 2019 and 2024. It failed to provide remunerative prices, did not establish storage and processing facilities, and gave no compensation to farmers affected by the 2022 cyclone.

“The coalition government has a proven record of protecting farmers, while YSRCP has a record of filing cases against them. Ours is a farmers’ party and theirs is the axe party,” he added.

Published - August 05, 2026 08:44 pm IST