CPI(M) holds Mahadharna in Vijayawada

 

The Vijayawada city unit of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI(M) staged a ‘maha dharna’ (a massive sit-in protest) in front of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation office on Friday. The ‘maha dharna’ is being organised to register protest against ‘negligence’ of the city by the State Government.

The city unit of CPI(M) has demanded that the State government conduct elections to urban local bodies and put an end to special officers’ rule. 

Addressing a gathering, CPI(M) floor leader in the State Assembly Julakanti Ranga Reddy said the Congress government had neglected the local bodies, and was more interested in revenues than providing facilities to people. The government, which was eager to fill its coffers, levied tax even on garbage collection. The Congress promised to construct 28,000 houses in the city. It, however, miserably failed in identifying land. Governance deteriorated with frequent change in guard in the government.

MLAs and MP were least concerned about the grants and funds that were due to the VMC. They had not taken any steps in prevailing upon the government to release the dues under the JNNURM programme, he said. CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao, secretariat members — Donepudi Kasinath, D. Vishnuvardhan, and U. V. Rama Raju came down heavily on the VMC for its miserable failure in completing the developmental works. They pointed out that roads were inundating with slightest rain. The corporation was dumping garbage in Vambay Colony, a residential area.

The CPI(M), as a prelude to maha dharna, organised padayatras in about 50 divisions in the city. The party also organised group meetings in every division to create awareness among the public. The CPI(M) received many petitions from the people on various problems faced by them. The petitions were submitted to the municipal commissioner at the dharna. The ‘shortsightedness’ of officials and ruling Congress party pushed the corporation into doldrums. The Congress leaders painted a rosy picture about the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme and city development. In reality, it became a curse to the city. Hardly 35 to 50 per cent works were completed though the programme came to an end, he said. 

(Courtesy : The Hindu)