Date:09/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/09/stories/2008020959150600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) to agitate against State policies

Political resolution expresses concern over World Bank-dictated measures

‘Government trying to shirk its responsibility in key sectors’
Claims by government on land distribution termed ‘false’

— Photo: Satish. H

for the people: CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI State Secretary K. Narayana at the 22nd State CPI (M) convention in Hyderabad on Friday.

HYDERABAD: The CPI(M) State committee here on Friday decided to launch an all-out struggle against the Government’s ‘anti-people’ policies.

Calling upon people to be prepared for sustained struggles, it called upon like-minded parties and people’s organisations to join forces in exposing the Government, which had “failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people.”

The party’s three-day 22nd State congress, which was inaugurated by the CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat in the morning, adopted a political resolution expressing concern over the World Bank-dictated measures with which the Government was trying to burden people.

It said that while efforts were under way to privatise departments, by constituting regulatory commissions for water and other basic amenities, the Government was trying to shirk its responsibility in the education, health and other sectors by encouraging private participation.

“The Congress has lost the right to govern. Ministers and their relatives are involved in looting the exchequer and the system of governance had been corrupted,” the party’s Central Committee member V. Srinivasa Rao told reporters.

He said the Government’s claims on land distribution were ‘false’, as the beneficiaries were being provided only papers. ‘Faction culture’ was spreading fast and the Government was trying to divert people’s attention from crucial issues by raking up rows like Telangana.

Meanwhile, the simmering differences between the main Left parties on Telangana came to the fore again, with the CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu and his CPI counterpart K. Narayana taking opposite stands during the inaugural session.

Dr. Narayana justified his party’s support to Telangana, claiming the demand gained momentum as people were denied benefits, which were assured during five decades.

Mr. Raghavulu claimed that his party would continue to support linguistic States, as adopted by the undivided Communist party.