The Hindu : CPI(M) to fight polls on four important issues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) to fight polls on four important issues

By Our Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM, FEB. 7. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will fight the elections in the State on four important issues, according to B.V. Raghavulu, State Secretary of the party.

Addressing a news conference along with the district secretary, Thammineni Veerabhadram, here today, he said that the neglect of the irrigation projects, the failure to create employment opportunities, power sector reforms and corruption would be the key issues in the party campaign.

He stated that the construction of new projects had not been given any consideration during the past eight years.

The neglect was due to the conditionalities of the World Bank. The Government preferred to focus on the maintenance of the existing projects rather than venture to take up a new project in order to avoid incurring the displeasure of the World Bank.

The State was lagging far behind so far as employment generation was concerned. Many were rendered jobless because of the closure of the industries, which was high in the State. The farm labourers were also affected by lack of work because of the unfavourable seasonal conditions. He pointed out that the Genco was subjected to serious neglect due to the power sector reforms. The Government would soon declare it sick to opt for privatisation. Corruption had assumed serious proportions.

The Government claimed to have appointed a committee to deal with it.

He said that Rs. 1200 crores borrowed from the World Bank could be utilised for attracting votes.

Mr. Raghavulu said that the party had identified 30 Assembly seats and three parliamentary constituencies to contest in the State.

Khammam constituency seat was part of the party strongholds. Discussions were on with the CPI to resolve the Khammam seat issue. Because of the defeat of the CPI in the Khammam Assembly constituency, the CPI(M) was blamed. Such problems should not come up once again. The CPI(M) had won Khammam seat many a time. The stand of the party was explained to the central leadership.

He said that the sops costing Rs. 315 crores announced by the Cabinet had to be considered as pre-election baits aimed at attracting votes. He flayed the caretaker Government in the State for resorting to `misuse' of office.

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Andhra Pradesh