Hans News Service Amaravati

TheYSRCP on Saturday accused the TDP-led coalition government of attempting to weaken the farmer-owned Vijaya Dairy to benefit Heritage Dairy, alleging that its chairman, Chalasani Anjaneyulu, was forced to resign under pressure from ministers.

Former minister Perni Venkatramaiah (Nani), speaking to the media, questioned the government’s alleged interference in the affairs of Vijaya Dairy, saying the institution functions under the Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) Act and its representatives are elected by farmers.

“What does the government have to do with the affairs of Vijaya Dairy?” Nani said, alleging that ministers Kolusu Parthasarathy and Kollu Ravindra acted on the direction of Nara Lokesh and pressured Anjaneyulu to quit.

Nani alleged that within an hour of Anjaneyulu’s election as chairman, threats were made against him and his family, including his daughter and son living in the US.

He claimed the pressure caused Anjaneyulu to suffer a heart attack and be admitted to an ICU, where, he alleged, ministers subsequently went and forced him to resign.

Nani said the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government had not interfered in the functioning of dairies during its five-year tenure.

He warned the coalition government against deliberately pushing Vijaya Dairy into financial difficulties to benefit Heritage Dairy.

The allegations were echoed by YSRCP spokesperson and former MLA Kaile Anil Kumar, who said Vijaya Dairy was an autonomous farmers’ institution and questioned the authority of ministers to intervene in its functioning.

He alleged that the Naidu government was seeking to push the profitable dairy into debt and eventually facilitate its takeover or benefit Heritage.

He cited Vijaya Dairy’s response during the Budameru floods, saying that despite suffering nearly Rs 20 crore in losses, the dairy continued milk supplies through an alternative plant and contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The YSRCP leaders also accused the government of weakening public institutions, disposing of public assets and failing to address farmers’ concerns over irrigation water and fertiliser shortages.