Overview

• The APCC president led a “Congress with the Farmers” protest at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada and attempted to reach the Assembly on a tractor.
• Police stopped the march outside the party office, leading to tense scenes as she sought to meet the Chief Minister over agrarian issues.
• Sharmila submitted a petition calling for assured MSP, stronger procurement and timely fertiliser supplies to ease rural distress.
• She alleged steep price shortfalls for key crops, citing banana payments of ₹15,000 per tonne against a ₹30,000 promise, maize below the ₹3,300 MSP, tobacco under ₹3,000, and tomatoes and onions sold at throwaway rates.
• She wore an onion garland to dramatize farmers’ struggles and vowed continued Congress support, as the ruling TDP–NDA offered no immediate response; ANI reported police later arrested her after hours of protest.