BRS MLA Harish Rao has strongly condemned the Congress government following the suicide of Khammam tenant farmer Banothu Veeranna, calling it ‘a murder committed by the state.’

In a statement on X, Rao said Veeranna’s death—captured in a selfie video showing the farmer consuming pesticide due to mounting debts and poor crop prices—exposed the government’s “betrayal” of tenant farmers.

He accused the Congress of failing to honor its election promise of providing Rs. 15,000 annual support to tenant farmers. Rao criticized the government for not implementing welfare schemes effectively, ensuring minimum support prices (MSP), or curbing exploitation by middlemen, which he said were pushing farmers toward despair.

Rao urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to visit Veeranna’s family during his Khammam tour on Tuesday and provide immediate ex-gratia assistance.

Addressing farmers directly, Harish Rao assured that the BRS would continue advocating for their rights, adding, “Good days will come again… Don’t lose hope.”