CPI(M) calls for united struggle against reforms in Andhra Pradesh

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has given a call for a united struggle by farmers and workers against the policies pursued by the Central and State governments. The party city unit organised a meeting at Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu said that the reforms were pushing the country into crisis. The government's tall assurances that investments would flood the country with reforms turned out be a blatant lie. Across the globe and in US, the people were up in arms against the capitalism, he said. The steep hike in power tariff was a result of the reforms carried out the by the government.

The government dismantled the electricity board into three companies only to encourage private power companies like Lanco, GVK, and Konaseema. The private power companies were looting the State. If the government succeeded in its endeavour to set up private thermal stations from Srikakulam to Nellore, the power would be a dearer commodity. Then, it was not possible to predict how the power tariff would be, he said.

Sompeta, Kakarapalli, and Krishnapatnam agitations were a result of the dissatisfaction of artisans, farmers and tenant farmers who lost their livelihood. The farmers invaded market yard in Warangal to express their anguish and dissatisfaction to the government. The Congress and BJP were sailing on same boat with regard to reforms, he said.