CPI(M) vows to focus on Vizag development

Successive governments neglected the city, says party leader

CPI(M) district secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao releasing manifesto in Visakhapatnam on Friday. PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

The Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which have been pursuing neo-liberalisation policies, should be defeated in the ensuing elections for the benefit of the common man, according to Ch. Narasinga Rao, Communist Party of India (Marxist) nominee for Visakhapatnam Parliament and Gajuwaka Assembly segment.

Mr. Narasinga Rao, who is also the CPI(M) State secretariat member, released the party manifesto at a media conference here on Friday. Party nominees for Visakhapatnam South -- P. Venkata Reddy, Visakhapatnam East -- R.K.S.V. Kumar, Visakhapatnam West -- Botta Eswaramma, Visakhapatnam North -- R. Bhagyalakshmi, Gajuwaka -- G. Subba Rao and for Bheemunipatnam Assembly segment S. Ramesh were present.

He said that the biggest city in Seemandhra – Vizag – was being neglected by successive governments though it has major industries like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) and Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT). He alleged that not even one additional TMC of water was brought to the city during the last 20 years. “We have been fighting on these issues for over a decade but those in power had neglected it,” he said.

The CPI(M) has been demanding captive mines for VSP, but now if YSRC candidate for Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha Y. Vijayamma was elected, “she will fight for captive mines for Brahmani Steels and not VSP,” he alleged. He said that development of infrastructure was needed to put Vizag on the fast track of progress.

Tie-up defended

Defending the decision of the party to have a truck with the Jai Samaikhyandhra Party (JSP), Mr. Narasinga Rao said that the CPI(M) had a consistent stand on keeping the State united and the JSP was formed with that avowed objective. Responding to the call given by senior leader of CPI and former MLA Maanam Anjaneyulu, he felt that there was nothing wrong in the CPI(M) having an alliance with the JSP, when the CPI could have a truck with the Congress in Telangana. He, however, said that the CPI(M) was open to having an alliance with the CPI also.

The issues to be pursued by the CPI(M) include creation of a new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters, tourist train for Araku, development of Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) on the lines of NIMS, bringing an additional 200 MGD of water to meet the drinking water and industrial needs of the city, job security to contract workers and development of Visakhapatnam as an IT hub.