Agriculture Minister triggered panic buying of urea, charges BJP chief

BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao on Wednesday offered to resign from his post if Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao can prove there is a fertilizer shortage in the State. He blamed the Minister for ‘prematurely declaring’ a lack of stock, which triggered panic buying among farmers leading to black market activity. He likened the situation to a financial panic, calling it a ‘run on fertilizer’.

At a press conference at the State office, he accused the Congress government of ‘mismanagement’ and ‘inefficiency’, alleging that it created an ‘artificial scarcity’ despite the Centre supplying sufficient quantities. Mr. Rao also challenged Mr. Nageswara Rao to resign if he fails to prove the shortage.

Cautioning the State government against launching a campaign against the Centre over the issue, he urged farmers not to be misled by ‘false statements’. According to Mr. Rao, 7,250 rakes of urea were supplied to Telangana by IFFCO, KRIBHCO and RCF, with an additional 10,000 metric tonnes allocated through imports at Karaikal Port.

He noted that despite global challenges, including the Israel–Iran conflict and disruptions in the Red Sea, the Centre did not hold back on fertilizer supply. He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government remains committed to farmers’ welfare.

For the 2025 Rabi season (October 2024–March 2025), the Centre supplied 12.47 lakh metric tonnes of urea against the State’s requirement of 9.87 lakh metric tonnes. Of this, the State government sold only 10.43 lakh metric tonnes, while 2.04 lakh metric tonnes remained as opening stock for the Kharif season.

For the ongoing Kharif season (up to August 2025), the Centre has already supplied 5.18 lakh metric tonnes out of the required 8.3 lakh metric tonnes. As of now, 7.22 lakh metric tonnes of urea are available in the State.

Mr. Rao said that in the Agriculture Minister’s own district, 3,200 tonnes more urea were sold this August compared to last year, despite no change in crop area. He questioned whether this excess supply actually reached farmers or was diverted to the black market.

He also noted that even when production at the Ramagundam factory was halted due to technical issues, the Centre ensured uninterrupted supply. Highlighting the Centre’s support for farmers, Mr. Rao said the Modi government has allocated ₹1.40 lakh crore in fertilizer subsidies, making fertilizers available to farmers at just 10–20% of the actual cost.

On the issue of the Vice Presidential candidate, Mr. Rao questioned why the Congress and its allies did not nominate a BC candidate, despite earlier lobbying for one. He urged Congress and INDIA bloc MPs to support NDA’s MBC candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan to ensure justice for BCs.

Mr. Rao also condemned divisive slogans like ‘Marwari Go Back’, calling them harmful and unconstitutional. “We are all Indians, and anyone from any region has the right to live anywhere in the country,” he said, blaming ‘Urban Naxal’ forces and Congress leaders for encouraging such sentiments.