A.P. needs to find an alternative to TDP and BJP: Manik Sarkar

‘Governments vigorously pursuing pro-corporate policies and working for moneyed class’

Sea of red:CITU activists at the organisation’s State conference in Vijayawada on Sunday. —Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Tearing into the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the State, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said here on Sunday Andhra Pradesh should play pivotal role in finding an “alternative path”.

The two-year-old Modi Government had failed on all fronts, while its ally TDP was actively supporting its policies which were detrimental to the country. There was no difference between the BJP, the Congress or the TDP as far as their policies were concerned, he said.

Mr. Sarkar was addressing a public meeting organised as part of the 14{+t}{+h}State conference of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

While the innocent farmers were ending their lives due to the agrarian crisis, scores of workers were losing jobs due to fall in production and exports. The prices of essential commodities were skyrocketing hitting the common man below the belt. Still, the governments were vigorously pursuing pro-corporate policies and working for landlords and the moneyed class, he said.

The Centre gave a relief of Rs. 5 lakh crore to the corporates. It also slashed budget on all sectors, which impacted every walk of life, he said. “At this juncture, we need to raise our voice against the policies and create an alternative to these parties. A.P. should take a lead in that direction.” Panicked by the growing unrest among the people, the BJP government had adopted a ‘divide and rule’ policy to continue its anti-people policies destroying the secular fabric of the country. The RSS and its affiliates VHP and Bajrang Dal were pushing their communal agenda. During the last two years, 1,000 “communal attacks” took place. But, the BJP, a political arm of the RSS, remained silent. “I don’t say it’s communal violence, but attack on other religions,” he said, adding, the people should be vigilant of these attempts.”

General strike

All sections of society had extended support to the nation-wide strike of the working class on September 2, 2015 and this was an indication that there was a lot of social and political unrest in the country. A nation-wide strike will be organised on September 2 this year too. It should be double the success of last year’s, he added.

CITU national president AK Padmanabhan, leaders S. Punyavathi, MA Gafoor, and former general secretary BV Raghavulu were present.