In a significant political development, senior leaders from the CPI (M) and the CPI engaged in discussions with APCC president YS Sharmila and fellow leaders, aiming to explore the prospects of forming a third alliance to counter the combined force of the YSRCP and TDP-JSP coalition.
Representing the CPI(M), a delegation headed by State secretary V Srinivasa Rao, alongside State committee member M A Gafoor and Central Committee member Y Venkateswara Rao, joined forces with another delegation from CPI led by State secretary K Rama Krishna, accompanied by State Committee Members M Nageswara Rao, Akkineni Vanaja, and Jalli Wilson. The rendezvous took place at Andhra Ratna Bhavan on Friday, where they engaged in dialogue with APCC President YS Sharmila, CWC Member Gidugu Rudra Raju, and JD Seelam.
The agenda encompassed discussions on forthcoming strategies, including opposition to policies formulated by the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the YSRCP administration led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Moreover, there were talks of fortifying the camaraderie within the INDIA alliance group, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming General and Andhra Pradesh State Assembly Elections in 2024. The Congress is inclined towards allying with the Left parties and other like-minded entities.
Following the meeting, YS Sharmila addressed the media at the Congress office, revealing that the party has extended an invitation to the CPI and the CPM for a forthcoming public gathering scheduled in Anantapur, with the possible participation of AICC President Mallikharjun Kharge.
“We are currently in negotiations with the Left parties regarding electoral alliances and seat sharing, among other pertinent matters,” remarked Sharmila.
Expressing his stance, CPM State Secretary Srinivasa Rao underscored the necessity of unity among the Congress, Left parties, and allied groups to counteract the apparent alignment of the YSRCP, TDP, and JSP with the BJP, which he criticized for overlooking the state’s interests. Rao emphasized the imperative nature of forming a joint front to contest the dominance of these parties in the state. He also criticized the BJP’s indirect governance in the state, despite its meager vote share.
On the same note, CPI State Secretary Ramakrishna lamented the apprehension displayed by regional parties towards the BJP. He criticized leaders like Jagan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu, and Pawan Kalyan for what he perceived as a capitulation to the BJP, disregarding the state’s welfare. Ramakrishna also condemned the recent arrest of YS Sharmila while she was en route to the Secretariat to submit a memorandum advocating for a substantial DSC.
