CPIM East Godavari District Conference

CPI (M) East Godavir District conference which began at Rajamundry on Saturday has called upon the people to revolt against the Congress government, which it says is “looting and exploiting” them in the name of populist schemes. CPIM Leaders said the Congress government in the State and at the Centre would have to face the wrath of people if it pursued with its “anti-people” policies. 

Addressing a public meeting at Subrahmanya Maidan here, party legislature party leader Julakanti Ranga Reddy said the Congress government had diverted Rs.2,500 crore to the Re. 1-a-kg rice scheme from the Rs.5,000 crore mobilised by levying Value Added Tax on traders and public. Though the UPA government at the Centre was adopting “anti-people” policies such as increasing the price of petrol, diesel, fertilizers, and essential commodities, the Left parties had to come to its rescue only to prevent communal forces from coming to power and put a check on privatisation of major industries. 

Telangana issue

Referring to the Telangana issue, Mr. Ranga Reddy said the party was committed to keeping the State united. “Commitment is missing on the part of TRS and Telangana Congress leaders,” he said. State Secretariat member B. Venkat said the Congress had become synonymous with corruption with many of its Ministers and MPs allegedly involved in major scams. “In the next few months, more Congress leaders will be in jail,” Mr. Venkat predicted. He dared Rajahmundry MP V. Arun Kumar to a debate on Polavaram project and corruption charges against Congress Ministers.

Crop holiday

Another State Secretariat member V. Krishnaiah lashed out at the Congress for “failing to provide basic amenities to people but levying taxes on them.” He said the Kiran Kumar Reddy government failed to come to the rescue of farmers in the hour of crisis. 

The crop holiday in 12,000 acres spread over East Godavari, Kurnool, Karimnagar, Warangal, Prakasam, and Guntur districts was an example of the government's apathy towards farmers, he said. Former MP Midiyam Babu Rao, who spoke on issues concerning tribal people, said the party was committed to protecting the rights of tribal people. The Forest Rights Act should be enforced at any cost, he said. Party leader P.S. Prakash presided over the meeting. 

(Courtesy : The Hindu)