It is a flop show by both the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist in the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation elections as the two parties managed to win just one seat out of the 48 contested by them.
Both the parties had a stronghold in Vijayawada once but over the years, their performance has dipped. And this time, the parties put up an even worse show. While, the CPI could not open its account, the CPI(M), thanks to G. Adilaxmi’s triumph over Telugu Desam’s Madhavi in the 37th ward, opened its account.
In 2005 civic elections, the Left parties had contested in 24 divisions and won 17 divisions. They formed the general body by extending support to Congress party, which had won 29 divisions.
Many keen followers of the two parties were dumbstruck by the poor show and attribute it to the current leadership’s inability to nurture committed second-rung leaders.
CPI, led by its MLA candidate Koraganji Durgamba, did well in One Town area but when it came to other regions, it failed to win the confidence of voters. “This is a clear indication that connection between locals and leadership is lost. Those, who work for development of a division will certainly win,” observed a senior leader.
Sheen lostBoth the parties are dominated by a handful of senior leaders and they hardly worked on developing youth force. The students’ wings of both parties – Students Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Federation, (AISF) DYFI and AIYF have lost its sheen as many students were keen on pursuing education, feels Cherukuri Satyanarayana, a former CPI leader.
CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao said voters had aside local issues and were influenced by the State-level politics. All the anti-Congress votes were polled for TDP and it has to deliver good governance and fulfil its promises now, he said. CPI(M) will always stand by people and work for the development of the city, said Mr. Rao.
