Hyderabad, Mar 10 (UNI) The opposition TDP, CPI(M), CPI and TRS today protested against the statement of Andhra Pradesh Marketing Minister Botsa Satyanarayana that cotton, chilli and maize farmers were getting more than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and all the farmers in general were happy under the ''farmer-friendly Congress rule.'' Replying to a question by P Keshav and K Balarama Krishna Murty, the Minister said the farmers were getting more than the MSP from private businessmen and market intervention had not become necessary. He said it was actually the farmers from the border areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra, who were selling their produce to the Cotton Corporation of India purchase centres in the state.

Disputing the claim of the Minister, TDP member Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said three cotton farmers had committed suicide in the Krishna district for want of market for their produce.

He alleged that private businessmen were not coming forward to purchase cotton at the MSP as ''they had given donations for the AICC plenary.'' This remark drew protests from the Congress members.

TDP Deputy Leader Devender Goud said that during the TDP rule, Rs 2,500 was offered for a quintal of cotton, only Rs 1,400 was being offered now and sought market intervention by the CCI or the Markfed.

CPI(M) floor leader Nomula Narasimhaiah said cotton farmers received a good price last year as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had shown interest.

CPI leader Chada Venkata Reddy said it was unfair on the part of the CCI to deny MSP for second and third pickings.

The Minister said second and third pickings would not fetch the same rate as the first picking.

During the course of his reply, Mr Satyanarayana announced that he had received information that the CCI Board which met in New Delhi today had decided to buy even inferior variety of cotton.

Not satisfied with the reply, the opposition members expressed their protest.

UNI JRK PK HT1910