The lone turmeric farmer from Telangana who was able to file his nomination papers from Varanasi parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has returned home to Nizamabad in Telangana “dejected”.
Fifty-four farmers from Nizamabad had gone to Varanasi to file nomination papers. However, only 25 were able to do so, out of which just Sunnapu’s nomination was accepted.
Four farmers from Tamil Nadu who went on a similar quest to Varanasi had returned without filing their nomination.
The 74-year-old claims several hurdles were put in their path. “The local election officials did not cooperate with us. They arrived late or delayed accepting our nominations and then raised several objections. At the banks, officials delayed giving us receipts for the deposited money (for surety). Police officials and Intelligence Bureau officials followed us everywhere, even checked our rooms and intimidated us. The local BJP leaders threatened us outright to not contest against Modi.”