NDA government in Andhra Pradesh aiding sand and liquor mafias, alleges CPI
Addressing a press conference on Friday, CPI National Executive member and district in-charge Akkineni Vanaja alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who promised to build 'Swarna Andhra Pradesh,' had instead turned it into 'Madhyandhra Pradesh' due to the unchecked liquor trade. She said the free sand policy had turned into a farce, with the poor unable to access it while mafias reaped profits.
Ms. Vanaja criticised the steep hike in power tariffs and the reversal of the Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) stand on smart meters. She recalled that HRD Minister Nara Lokesh had opposed smart meters while in the Opposition, but now supports their installation.
Announcing a mass protest on August 5 at electricity offices across the State, Ms. Vanaja said the CPI would demand a rollback of smart meters and recent power sector policies. The party would intensify its agitation if the government fails to respond, she warned.
She also mentioned that the CPI national conference in Chandigarh will deliberate on the Union government's 'destructive policies,' while the State conference, scheduled for August 23–25 in Ongole, will feature 2,000 Red Shirt volunteers and 1,000 women in red sarees.
CPI Eluru District Secretary Mannava Krishna Chaitanya, State Executive Member Dega Prabhakar, and others also spoke at the event. They demanded protection of Kolleru Lake, completion of the Chintalapudi Lift Scheme, compensation for Polavaram evacuees, and revival of the Pedavegi Palm Oil Factory.
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