Amaravati, July 23 -- The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) criticised the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led Andhra Pradesh government over its handling of the mango crisis, alleging that delayed intervention and inadequate support prices have left farmers in severe distress.

M.V.S. Nagi Reddy, president of the YSRCP Farmers' Wing, hit out at Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu of making "misleading claims" about supporting mango farmers.

Reddy pointed out that while Karnataka secured central procurement of mangoes at Rs 16 per kg as early as June 21, the Andhra Pradesh government obtained a similar letter only on July 21--by which time, he claimed, most farmers had already sold their produce at low ...