KURNOOL: Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary K. Narayana has said the party is toying with the idea of contesting the Karimnagar by-election. However, the decision has been postponed as election is not being held in immediate future.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, he said election was thrust upon the people because of tussle between Minister M. Satyanarayana Rao and TRS leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

He said the CPI was for special package of Rs. 10,000 crores to be spent on education, health and infrastructure excluding spending on irrigation projects. The CPI also insisted upon expert panel to go in-depth into the issues of Telengana including sentiments and backwardness.

Mr. Narayana hailed the decision on taking back the assigned lands under the control of the rich. However, the government should spell its policy on the reuse of such lands. The very purpose of de-alienation would be defeated if the lands were allotted to industrialists again.

Land distribution

He urged the Government to speed up the distribution of 8 lakh acres surplus land in the State. Also, 70 lakh acres of land in various categories was available in the State which was fit for cultivation. If the Government failed to take a decision, the CPI would launch a movement to forcibly occupy the land.

On the land for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), he suggested that the landowners should not be displaced but given shares in the respective businesses to avoid controversy. He said the CPI activists would undertake cycle rally along the proposed Outer Ring Road (ORR) route running to 69 km and take part in the all-party demonstration on October 12.

K. Ramakrishna of Raithu Sangham said they would welcome certain aspects of the central package but the direct relief given to farmers was disappointing. The mounting farm debt, which was the main reason for deaths, was not addressed properly. Party leaders Bhimlingappa, P. Ramachandraiah and others were present.

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