Mango politics in Andhra Pradesh went a notch higher on Wednesday with YSRCP leader's show of strength in Chittoor.
Published Jul 09, 2025 | 3:43 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 09, 2025 | 3:43 PM
Despite the police denying permission, Jagan took out a road show, stepping out of his vehicle frequently, standing on the footboard to greet supporters with his signature namaskar—folded hands raised above his head. (Screengrab/X)
Synopsis: Jagan’s visit, widely perceived as a political demonstration, prompted a sharp response from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Leaders from both parties traded barbs, with the TDP accusing the YSRCP of neglecting mango farmers during its tenure, while YSRCP leaders criticized the TDP-led NDA government for failing to support farmers amid crashing markets.
Amid high-voltage drama, YSRCP president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the Bangarupalem Mango Market Yard in Chittoor district on Wednesday, 9 July, in what appeared more as a show of political strength than an expression of solidarity with mango farmers facing financial distress.
Despite issuing permission for his visit with restrictions, the police, since Monday, 8 July, night, attempted to prevent YSRCP supporters, particularly the youth, from reaching Bangarupalem from other districts, fearing violations of the imposed conditions.
On Wednesday, when Jagan arrived at the helipad, where two layers of barricades were set up to keep crowds at bay, chaos erupted. Hundreds of youths surged toward the chopper, despite permissions limiting the reception to 30 people.
Although the police explicitly prohibited roadshows or public meetings en route to the Bangarupalem market, the enthusiastic crowd followed Jagan’s convoy, pushing past officers trying to maintain order. After witnessing unruly crowds during Jagan’s earlier visits to Podili, Sattenapalli, and Tenali, the police adopted a stricter stance this time.
Nonetheless, Jagan did take out a road show, stepping out of his vehicle frequently, standing on the footboard to greet supporters with his signature namaskar—folded hands raised above his head—a gesture reminiscent of his late father, YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Chittoor Superintendent of Police VN Manikanta Chandolu said that although permission was granted for only 500 people to enter the mango market, police received information that protest organisers tried to mobilise around 25,000 people. He said inducements, including money, liquor, and unspecified benefits, were offered to draw crowds. The
YSR Congress leaders reportedly provided free fuel to activists at petrol stations. Supporters arrived in autos, private vehicles, and other modes of transportation.
“We are monitoring the crowd with drones and CCTV cameras. So far, 377 people have been issued notices, of whom 50 have prior criminal history,” Chandolu said, maintaining that the crowd included people from other districts who arrived on 3,500 two-wheelers and 1,500 cars. “Legal action will be taken against those who violated police restrictions,” he said.
As Jagan’s convoy progressed, police used force at one point to disperse the crowd, and in the melee, one YSRCP worker sustained head injuries. When Jagan attempted to reach the injured activist, police intervened.
Later, the injured worker with a bleeding head was taken to Jagan, and the former chief minister was seen demanding an explanation from the police.
Ahead of his arrival, farmers staged a dramatic protest by unloading mangoes from trucks onto the road, crushing them with tractors to drive home the point that their produce was fetching negligible prices.
Much ahead of Jagan’s arrival, YSR Congress activists stormed the market. Although police restricted the entry to 500 mango farmers, the market was largely filled with Jagan’s young admirers, numbering thousands. Farmers from nearby villages and towns struggled to reach the market yard due to police barricades cordoning off roads leading to Bangarupalem.
Some farmers were seen crossing fences and navigating bylanes to access the venue. Neither Jagan’s supporters nor the police seemed inclined to follow the rules, with both sides vying for control.
Jagan’s visit, widely perceived as a political demonstration, prompted a sharp response from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Leaders from both parties traded barbs, with the TDP accusing the YSRCP of neglecting mango farmers during its tenure, while YSRCP leaders criticized the TDP-led NDA government for failing to support farmers amid crashing markets.
One YSRCP-supporting farmer at the market remarked, “The TDP’s relief announcements are all thunder and no rain.”
The visit shed light on the deepening crisis in Chittoor, a major hub for Totapuri mangoes, where farmers are struggling to sell their produce. Totapuri mango prices have plummeted to ₹1–₹4 per kg, far below the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹12 per kg, which includes a ₹4 subsidy. Farmers have accused pulp factories of refusing to purchase their produce, exacerbating losses in a region that produces over 10 lakh tonnes of mangoes annually.
Addressing the farmers, Jagan slammed the TDP-led NDA government for failing to ensure fair prices and timely procurement. He claimed that during YSRCP’s tenure, Rythu Bharosa Kendras helped farmers secure remunerative prices.
“Now, the police are warning that they will open rowdy sheets against mango farmers,” he said, questioning what Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was doing while the central government was procuring mangoes in neighboring Karnataka at ₹16 per kg.
“Why doesn’t the Center do the same here? What is Naidu doing besides plotting against mango farmers?” he asked, showing concern to farmers that they were yet to receive input or investment subsidies from the government, though monsoon has arrived.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
