CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Giri KVS
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has announced a series of protest programmes on issues including house sites for the poor, drought relief and problems relating to 22-A prohibited lands, with a ‘Chalo Vijayawada’ programme scheduled for October 26.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah said the State committee had discussed public issues and political developments at its meeting in Kadapa from September 28 to 30 and decided to intensify public movements.
The CPI would demand a house site of two cents for the urban poor, and three cents for the rural poor, allotment of TIDCO houses and financial assistance for house construction, he said, alleging that several assurances made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu before the elections had not been implemented even after 26 months.
Mr. Eswaraiah alleged that the problems relating to 22-A prohibited lands remained unresolved and claimed that some officials were demanding bribes. He further alleged that some elected representatives and ruling party leaders were attempting to influence the inclusion of certain lands in the 22-A list. The CPI had already brought the issue to the notice of the government and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, he said and demanded that genuine rights over 22-A lands be restored after a comprehensive verification.
₹1 lakh crore drought package
The CPI leader said severe drought conditions prevailed across the State and claimed that 518 mandals were severely affected. The State had received 54% less rainfall than the normal 512 mm during the period under consideration and demanded that Andhra Pradesh be declared a drought-hit State.
He also referred to the damage caused by heavy rains and floods in several districts and demanded a ₹1 lakh crore special package from the Central and State governments. He sought declaration of the drought and flood situation as a national disaster and comprehensive assistance to affected farmers.
He also announced protests across the State seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said rallies would be held in all 175 Assembly constituencies on October 2 and that the protests would continue until October 8.
Published – October 01, 2026 07:23 pm IST
