Date:18/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101814200400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Stick to people's issues: CPI(M)

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL, OCT. 17. The CPI(M) secretary, B. V. Raghavulu, has said naxalites and the Government should concentrate more on public issues than arms and fake encounters during the ongoing peace talks.

Mr. Raghavulu, who was here to attend a party meeting, told presspersons that people, especially those in villages, were pining for peace.

He wanted the talks held with all sincerity.

"But, both parties have left behind public issues and are sticking to their respective stands,'' he alleged.

He said the CPI(M) was with people and had consistently raised issues of public concern. "Whether in power or not, we will continue to fight for people,'' he said.

The CPI(M) leader characterised the Maharashtra poll outcome as a defeat for communal forces.