CPI (M) Polit Bureau member B.V. Raghavulu has demanded that the government hold a referendum on the proposed international airport in Bhogapuram mandal.
Mr. Raghavulu, along with party leaders Ch. Narasinga Rao and T. Suryanarayana, and CPI State assistant secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murty and district secretary P. Kameswara Rao, visited Kavulavada, Kancheru, and Gudepuvalasa villages in the mandal on Thursday and addressed the farmers.
“Where was the need for another airport close to Visakhapatnam when the one at Gangavaram could serve the State capital Amaravati?” he asked. He said that the proposed airport was intended to benefit realtors in the region and the government had no right to acquire lands without consent of the farmers.
He advised them not to rely wholly on the HC stay orders and fight with unity to protect their lands.
Mr. Satyanarayana Murty criticised the Chief Minister for creating a land bank with an intention to acquire 10 lakh acres for the benefit of capitalists.
Earlier, the farmers reiterated that they were willing to sacrifice their lives instead of parting with their lands.
