People's Democracy

ANDHRA PRADESH

CPI(M) Calls Upon People to Beware of Political Opportunism

THE CPI(M) Andhra Pradesh state committee has held a series of general body meetings of Party members and sympathisers across the three regions of the state through which the Party line and understanding of the present political situation was explained. These meetings being addressed by top leaders of the Party, were also open to the media.

Addressing the meeting in Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, Hyderabad on August 15, CPI(M) state secretary B V Raghavulu launched a scathing attack on the bourgeois political parties – the ruling Congress, the main opposition Telugu Desam party and YSR Congress Party – for their continuing opportunism on the issue of division of the state. After taking the decision to divide the first linguistic state formed post-Independence, it is the same Congress party leaders who are trying to ‘lead’ the agitation against division in the Seemandhra region. The chief minister after 10 days of silence held a press conference and spoke obliquely about problems arising out of division rather than about keeping the state united.

Raghavulu questioned the TDP as to why it is now talking about N T Rama Rao legacy and about Telugu pride after agreeing to the division of the state by submitting a letter to that effect. He said Chandrababu Naidu’s reaction on July 31, a day after announcement of the CWC decision, also pointed to the acceptance of the division. But now its leaders are competing to be in the forefront of agitation in Seemandhra region. He wondered whether the stance of the TDP had something to do with the inclination of its masters, the MNCs and World Bank, to have smaller states in order to facilitate loot of resources easily. Similarly, YSRCP had stated in the all party meeting convened by the central government that justice must be done to all regions while taking any decision. Now, they are twisting the word ‘justice’ and are actively trying to cash in on the anti-division sentiment prevailing in the Seemandhra region, said Raghavulu.

The CPI(M) leader advised the leaders of these parties, who are conducting fasts and other forms of agitation in the Seemandhra region, to hold the same protests in front of their party offices in Hyderabad demanding that they change their stance officially in favour of united state if they are really sincere in achieving that demand. Unless they do that all their antics now would be seen as nothing but attempt to cheat the people of Seemandhra region. “These parties are playing with the lives of the people of both the regions”, he said and called upon the people of Seemandhra not to believe these parties. Raghavulu made it clear that the CPI(M), although in favour of united state, would not take part in the present agitations in that region because they are being led by such opportunist forces. With the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen party also accepting the division of the state after CWC decision, it is only the CPI(M) that has remained consistently opposed to the division of the state, he reminded.

Raghavulu said the BJP’s support for smaller states is driven by a larger agenda of ensuring a strong centre vis a vis weak states so that it can implement its Hindutva agenda. States like Andhra Pradesh which command weight at the centre would then be reduced to small players hankering for funds and other benefits from the centre. He said it was unfortunate that a trace of opportunism was exhibited by some of the Left parties also on this issue. Knowingly or unknowingly they are contributing to the strengthening of BJP. He attacked certain unions in Road Transport Corporation that have taken diametrically opposite stands on the issue regionwise. Similarly certain teachers unions are also resorting to such opportunism. He cautioned them against pitting one worker or employee against another. As long as such opportunist elements are participating in the ongoing agitations, CPI(M) would not associate with the agitations. It would independently do whatever possible in line with its stated stance of keeping the state united. He underlined that the stand of CPI(M) is driven by the larger interest of safeguarding federalism, linguistic basis of states that is crucial to the unity and integrity of the nation.

With the administration coming to a grinding halt following the recent developments, people’s issues are being further neglected. Raghavulu concluded by saying that no matter if the state remains as one or is divided into two, the problems of the masses would remain unsolved. The need to launch struggles would remain and for that the Party must prepare by increasing its strength.

The meeting in Hyderabad was presided over by CPI(M) state secretariat member Y Venkateswara Rao. CPI(M) central committee members Thammineni Veerabadhram addressed the meetings in Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, Mangalagiri and Vijayawada; S Veeraiah in Karimnagar and Adilabad; Paturi Ramaiah in Prakasam; and P Madhu in Ranga Reddy and Nellore. Raghavulu spoke in Kurnool along with M A Gafoor, in Anantapur, Kadapa and Visakapatnam meetings.

(INN)