CPI Leaders Meet YS Jagan, Invite YSRCP to Drought Roundtable

CPI leaders met YSRCP president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the party’s central office in Tadepalli on Thursday and discussed several public issues, including the severe drought situation in Andhra Pradesh. The leaders also invited the YSRCP to a roundtable meeting on the issue scheduled to be held in Vijayawada on September 26.

CPI national general secretary K. Ramakrishna, state secretary Gujjala Eswaraiah, national executive member Akkineni Vanaja and state executive member P. Harinatha Reddy were among those who met Jagan. YSRCP state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy also participated in the meeting.

The CPI leaders said the state was facing serious drought conditions and called for immediate measures to protect farmers. Eswaraiah said the Centre and state governments must come under pressure to provide relief to affected farmers. He demanded that the drought be declared a national disaster and sought immediate assistance for the agricultural community.

While the recent rainfall may improve groundwater levels to some extent, Eswaraiah said it would not be sufficient to restore normal agricultural activity across the state. The Vijayawada roundtable will focus on the drought situation, farmers’ concerns and other public issues.

The CPI state secretary also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that removing the names of people who had migrated was unfair. He said the party would continue its campaign on the issue. He also alleged irregularities in DSC teacher recruitment and said the CPI supported the opposition parties’ demand for a CBI investigation. Eswaraiah further criticised physical attacks on protesters.

Meanwhile, Jagan held a separate meeting with the party’s regional coordinators ahead of the local body elections. He directed them to accelerate the identification of strong and capable candidates and prepare lists after consulting party leaders at various levels.

Jagan also stressed the need to strengthen the party’s grassroots network and maintain regular contact with local leaders. He asked party workers to visit households, interact with voters and explain the schemes implemented during the previous YSRCP government, as well as issues they allege people are facing under the present administration.

According to the YSRCP statement, Jagan made several political allegations against Chandrababu Naidu’s government and urged party leaders to remain prepared for possible challenges during the local body elections. He also called for alternative strategies at the local level to deal with what he described as possible attempts to influence the electoral process.