Panchayat polls: CPI to tie up with progressive parties

The Communist Party of India (CPI) will forge an alliance with CPI(M) and other progressive parties for the forthcoming Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections.

Addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, CPI National General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said the party leaders discussed about the strategies to be adopted during the forthcoming elections at the its National Council meeting held in Andhra Pradesh recently.

He said, “The Union government has not been able to control price rise. Unemployment is still haunting the country and the progress of the labour class has completely ignored. The condition of agricultural labourers is pathetic. The Modi-led government is only worried about the progress of corporate companies.”

He said the party is not against Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) provided it helps the growth of the country and employment generation. “The foreign investors are investing in speculations. This will not do any good to the country,” Reddy said and questioned the purpose of bringing down the tax for corporate companies.

He said that the Union government is implementing pro-corporate and anti-people policies. Reddy alleged that intolerance of Hindu organisations is increasing in the country. He said the party will conduct its district units’ meeting to discuss people’s agitations.

The State Council meeting of the party will be held in March, he added. Reddy said the party leaders will go to villages, discuss problems with the villagers and expose the wrong policies of the government in March and April. CPI State Secretary Lokesh urged the State government to clarify its stand on the opening of liquor shops at Gram Panchayat level.

“The government should make its stand clear before the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections. Otherwise, the party will protest against the lobbies which are batting for the opening of liquor shops,” he said. He added that the party will not contest the Legislative Assembly by-election in the State.