14-day Padayatra by CPIM Khammam District committee flagged off

CPIM Andhra Pradesh State secretary and PB member Com. B V Raghvulu flagged off the 14 day ‘Sagu Neeti Sadhana Maha Rytu Padayatra’ led by the CPIM Khammam District committee for the implementation of various projects and to voice against the antipeople measures of state and central congress government. Party district secretary P Sudarshan presided over the inaugural function on the banks of the Godavari near Dummugudem on Sunday. The party central committee member T Veerabhadram, former MP Midiyam Babu Rao, and former MLAs Sunnam Rajaiah and Kunja Bujji were those present.

An overwhelming number of over 1,000 party workers and leaders clad in green shirts embarked on the 300-km-long Maha Padayatra in 18 mandals to press for allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for early completion of the pending irrigation projects mainly the Dummugudem (Rajiv Sagar) lift irrigation scheme in the district.

CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu has demanded the government cancel the “corruption- ridden Jalayagnam” and announce a new water policy in the next budget session of the Assembly to ensure expeditious completion of the need-based irrigation projects with a thrust on the upland and drought-prone areas in the State.

Addressing a huge gathering of the party cadres, including farmers at the venue adjoining the Sir Arthur Cotton canal, Mr Raghavulu alleged that the Jalayagnam had failed to create any additional ayacut as assured in spite of spending over Rs 65,000 crore under the programme till now. “The lapses pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the implementation of the Jalayagnam and the allegations of large scale irregularities made by none other than the ruling party leaders vindicated our earlier charge that it was a ‘Dhana Yagnam’,” he said.

The corruption ridden programme should be cancelled forthwith and a comprehensive water policy should be evolved to complete the irrigation projects with a pragmatic approach, he demanded asking the other parties to spell out their stand on the issue.

Khammam district deserves top priority in irrigation sector in view of a major chunk of tribal population, he said.

He lashed out at the government for allegedly spending crores of rupees on the Dummugudem-Nagarjunasagar tail pond link canal and Polavaram projects in an unproductive manner detrimental to the interests of the farmers in the district. He appealed to other parties to extend their support to the Rythu Padayatra to espouse the cause of farmers.

CPIM leaders campaign in Himachal Pradesh

Representing an emerging third force and a new state-wide alternative through Himachal Lok Morcha, CPI(M) PB members Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat are campaigning in Himachal Pradesh, specially in constituencies in and nearing Shimla district.

Sitaram Yechury, addressing two rallies on the 30th, first at Chota Shimla and second at Sanjauli Chouk, canvassed for two CPI(M) candidates, Tikender Singh Panwar and Kuldeep Singh Tanvar, contesting from two city constituencies of Shimla-City and Kusumpty. After it's historic win in Shimla Municipal corporation, just a few months back winning both Mayor and Deputy-Mayorships in first direct election with huge margins, CPI(M) is considered having a definite advantage on these two seats. Five wards of Shimla Corporation constitute urban part of Kusumpty assembly constituency. Four of these wards gave big leads to CPI(M) while in fifth it was left behind by only a few votes. Tikender Panwar, is presently Deputy-Mayor of Shimla.

Yechury addressing very receptive crowds underlined that fact that Congress and BJP are indistinguishable not only in their policies but also in their practices, including corruption. For first time people of Himachal have an opportunity of opting really for some change and not having to alternatively choose and reject out of two more or less similar parties. He also pointed out how Congress-led UPA government's policies like FDI in  retail and privatisation cum invitation to foreign investment in Pension Funds and Insurance are sure recipes of disaster for people. But BJP's government in Himachal has also pushed in the same direction by reckless privatisation of Education and Health services.

Addressing both the rallies with people of both the constituencies, Tikender Panvar underlined that the good work done by the newly-elected Shimla Corporation can only be consolidated through CPI(M)'s representation in State Assembly as only that can change the anti-people steps of state government like water privatisation, though currently corporation has blocked the same.

 

Same day Brinda Karat addressed well attended meetings at Koti area under Kusumpty assembly constituency. Before this on 29th, she addressed a big rally at Darlaghat, campaigning for CPI(M) candidate from Arki assembly segment, Ramkrishna Sharma. Darlaghat also known for it's Ambuja Cement factory, has strong Left influence. She is campaigning on 31st in Theog for CPI(M) candidate and Party state secretary, Rakesh Singha. This rural seat of Apple rich belt of Shimla district is threatening to surprise both Congress and BJP. Sitaram Yechury continues to campaign in the coming days in two constituencies of  Shimla city. This includes a noontime meeting at government offices centre, SDA complex.   

CPIM Dharna against sexual violence on women

 

Several hundred activists of the Delhi state committee of CPI (M) held a protest dharna on 30th October at Jantar Mantar against the rising cases of sexual violence against the women and children throughout the country.

The dharna was addressed by Prakash Karat, General Secretary, CPI (M), P.M.S. Grewal, Secretary, Delhi State Committee of CPI (M) and other leaders including Asha Sharma, Nathu Prasad, Jagdish Chand, Sonia Verma (all Party State Committee members), Maimoona Mollah (JMS), Sunand (SFI), Kamala (CITU) and G. Mamatha (People’s Democracy). Vijender Sharma, State Secretariat member of the CPI (M), presided.

Prakash Karat pointed to the big increase in the cases of rapes and sexual violence against women throughout the country in the recent past. Children and young women have been the biggest victims. Governments throughout the country have not only failed to tackle these cases; but in many instances the administration, police and state machinery actually ensure that the victim is not even able to lodge a complaint. There is thus an urgent need of an effective law against sexual harassment. However successive central governments have failed to enact such a legislation. The CPI (M) will continue to mount pressure on the UPA government to ensure that such a bill is enacted in the winter session of the parliament.

Prakash Karat also stressed that laws alone will not be enough to curb violence against women. Simultaneously there is an urgent need to combat the retrograde and anti-women values that dominate society.

Various speakers also pointed the need to take this issue right to the level of mohallas, and ensure effective resistance to these regressive acts of violence.

Later a memorandum concerning increased violence against women was submitted to the Union Minister of Home Affairs. 

 

Similar  dharnas and protest meetings were held across the country against the rise in sexual violence on the women.