Telangana CM KCR gives 24-hour deadline to PM Modi over paddy issue
New Delhi, Apr 11: Stepping up protest against the Centre's paddy procurement policy, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Monday gave 24 hours deadline to the Modi-government to respond if it will buy parboiled rice from the state.
If the central government fails to respond, Rao threatened to take the protest across the country.
Staging a dharna along with his TRS party leaders at Telangana Bhawan here, Rao warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "Don't play with the sentiments of our farmers, they have power to topple the government."
Farmers are not beggars, they have the right to seek minimum support price (MSP) for their produce, he said.
"With folded hands, I urge Modiji and (Piyush) Goyal ji to respond to the state's demand on paddy procurement within 24 hours. After that, we will take a call," Rao said.
Rao said if the Centre does not respond, he would further intensify the protest across the country.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait also expressed solidarity with the chief minister Rao at the day-long dharna here.
This is the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's first protest rally in Delhi after coming to power in the state in 2014. The party MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and entire cabinet ministers sat on the dharna.
The TRS has intensified the protest and reached Delhi after the Central government refused Telangana's request to buy parboiled rice in the current rabi season.
The Centre is saying that it can procure only raw rice and not the parboiled ones which are not consumed largely in India.
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Rain interrupts Mumbai Indians' chase against Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai, May 17: Rain interrupted play in the second innings here on Friday with Mumbai Indians reaching 33 for no loss in 3.5 overs while chasing 215 against Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL clash.
Rohit Sharma, who is playing this final contest for Mumbai Indians this season as an impact substitute, was the enforcer with two consecutive sixes off Matt Henry to reach 20 not out off 13 balls with one four.
At the other end was Dewald Brevis batting on nine after replacing out of sorts Ishan Kishan as opener.
Mumbai needed another 182 runs to win off 97 balls when the play was halted.
It began with a heavy shower forcing players off the field and groundstaff to bring four layers of sheets, but subsided into steady drizzle.
Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants posted a daunting 214/6 as they recovered well to add 145 runs in the final 10 overs of the innings.
Nicholas Pooran blasted eight sixes and five fours to make 75 off a mere 29 balls whereas skipper KL Rahul, who struggled with the other top order LSG batters in the first half, made 55 off 41 balls with three fours and as many sixes.
