Modi govt’s days numbered, says CPI leader Ramakrishna

Vijayawada: CPI national secretary K Ramakrishna has claimed that the “final days” of the Narendra Modi government have begun, alleging growing dissatisfaction among people with the NDA government’s policies. He announced that the CPI, along with Left and secular democratic forces, would organise a nationwide ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation from December 1 to 3.

Addressing a ‘Meet-the-Press’ programme organised by the Vijayawada Press Club here on Tuesday, Ramakrishna spoke on international, national and State issues. Vijayawada Press Club president Kanchala Jayaraju presided over the programme.

Referring to his recent participation in the 24th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties in Havana, Ramakrishna alleged that US sanctions and what he called President Donald Trump’s “arrogant actions” had caused severe hardships in Cuba. He said the country was facing shortages of electricity, water, transport and medicines, particularly affecting cancer patients. He said the CPI and CPM had collected medicines and sent them to Cuba.

On domestic issues, Ramakrishna alleged that the Modi government had failed to fulfil key promises made in 2014, including controlling prices, creating jobs, curbing corruption and bringing back black money. He blamed rising prices, unemployment, fuel costs and the weakening rupee for growing public dissatisfaction.

He demanded restoration of the ballot paper system to strengthen confidence in elections and alleged that constitutional and secular values were being weakened. He also criticised voter deletions under the SIR exercise and referred to the continuing violence in Manipur.

Ramakrishna alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s government had continued the borrowing policy he had earlier criticised during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime. He claimed that the State government had exceeded the borrowings of the previous five-year government within two years.

He also alleged that drought-like conditions prevailed in more than 300 mandals and demanded immediate declaration of drought-affected areas and relief to farmers.

He said the CPI would observe Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 as a day for communal harmony and support candidates committed to village development in the forthcoming local body elections. CPI leaders and media representatives, including APJUWJ Vijayawada unit president Chava Ravi, secretary Daram Venkateswara Rao, IJU member Shaikh Babu and SAMNA State general secretary Ramanareddy, were present.

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