State secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), V Srinivasa Rao, has urged both the ruling YSRCP and the opposition TDP-JSP-BJP alliance to be transparent about the tax implications and price adjustments accompanying their proposed welfare schemes.
Rao emphasised that while both the YSRCP and the NDA alliance are busy promising extensive welfare measures in anticipation of the upcoming elections, they owe the public an honest account of the additional financial burdens citizens might face post-election.
Speaking to the press alongside Y Venkateswara Rao, a member of the party’s state secretariat, at Balotsav Bhavan in Vijayawada on Sunday, Rao questioned how these welfare schemes could truly benefit the populace without exacerbating the cost of living. He criticized the trend of political parties, including the YSRCP and TDP-JSP-BJP alliance, for touting their manifestos filled with promises of welfare initiatives while failing to address the inevitable tax hikes and additional financial pressures these schemes might bring.
Rao went on to demand three specific assurances from the leadership of major political parties. Firstly, he urged the YSRCP and TDP alliance to commit to not increasing property taxes, garbage taxes, GST, or prices of essential commodities like sand, petrol, and gas. Secondly, he called for assurances that no further financial burdens would be imposed on the public, nor would the assets of the people be surrendered to corporate entities. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of securing land rights for farmers regarding irrigation water.
Highlighting concerns regarding tribal rights, Rao stressed the need for indigenous communities to have rightful access to forest lands and advocated for fair wages through schemes like Upadhi for agricultural labourers. He expressed disappointment over the silence of the YSRCP and TDP-JSP-BJP alliance on critical issues such as reservations, the fate of the Visakha Steel Plant, the Polavaram Project, and the welfare of displaced individuals.
In particular, Rao criticized the BJP’s stance on reservations, noting its potential impact on marginalised communities, and questioned the stance of BJP-aligned parties like the YSRCP and TDP on this matter. Additionally, he lamented the absence of discussions surrounding crucial projects like the Visakha Steel Plant and the Polavaram Project, as well as the welfare of displaced populations.