Taking strong objection to Minister for Energy G. Jagadish Reddy’s reported adverse comments against the ongoing strike by the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), CPI (M) State secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram alleged that the “objectionable” remarks showed his utter disrespect towards the working classes and “autocratic tendencies.”
Talking to newsmen at Sundaraiah Bhavan here on Monday, Mr. Veerabhadram alleged that the Minister had made critical comments against ASHAs’ ongoing indefinite strike during a function held in Warangal district on Sunday.
“When a group of ASHAs tried to represent their demands, the Minister made disparaging remarks alleging that some dogs were behind their agitation,” Mr Veerabhadram alleged.
He deplored that it was unbecoming of a Minister to ridicule the democratic agitation of ASHAs and make objectionable comments against their stir.
The CPI(M) and its frontal organisations, including the CITU would continue to espouse the cause of working classes unfazed by the repressive tactics of the persons at the helm of affairs, he asserted.
Stir against fake encounter
“The TRS came to power by promising to render justice to the contract workers and other toiling masses besides, ushering in a peaceful Telagnana free from encounters. However, it is acting contrary to its assurances,” he charged, alleging that the attempts to “suppress” the democratic agitations of working classes and the recent killing of two Maoists by some policemen in a “fake encounter” in Warangal district bear testimony to this.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is pursuing pro-capitalists policies detrimental to the interests of working classes, he alleged.
The formation of Telangana Democratic Front, an umbrella organisation of various Left, democratic and secular forces, is a significant development in the endeavour to fight against repressive measures and protect democratic rights of all sections of people, he said.
He called upon people to make the ensuing Chalo Assembly agitation called by the Front against “fake encounters” on September 30 a grand success.
Govt.’s effigy set afire by ASHA workers
NIZAMABAD Special Correspondent adds: The ASHA workers took out a funeral procession of an effigy of the government and burnt it for its alleged apathy in solving their demands at the NTR Chowrasta here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, CITU leader Ms. Noorjahan, criticised the government that though the agitation by the Asha workers on their demands was nearing to one month the rulers still remained ruthless. The ASHA workers were the key persons in the Health Department in maintaining the public health in rural areas, she said.
With the ASHA workers striking the work, the public health had gone awry and seasonal diseases were on the rise, she said. The government was deliberately neglecting their demands which would not augur well, she said. Payment of a minimum wage of Rs.15,000 per month was the main demand of the ASHA workers.
