After poll win, Jagan launches fast

He is sitting on a fast at the sprawling Reddy college grounds at Nallapadu, a suburb of Guntur.

Jagan said that the objective of his fast is to make the state as well as the union governments realise the kind of hardships that farmers were facing.

He said, "Farmers want the government to pay the minimum support (MSP) price to the paddy and buy the crop that was damaged by rains. MSP provides a guarantee to farmers, but what is the sanctity of MSP, if farmers did not get money."

He said that mounting paddy stocks is making lives of farmers miserable by pushing them into debts.

Eight MLAs, three MLCs and an MP are together fasting with Jagan. The 13-acre venue of the fast started overflowing with farmers, despite scorching sun. Huge hoardings and banners supporting Jagan had been put up.

However, political observers are perplexed to find Jagan pulling large crowds around as they say that he is neither an outstanding orator, nor has a charismatic persona. But some others believe that his colossal wealth and caste factor could be some of the reasons.