THE ‘Chalo Assembly’ call given by the Left parties of Andhra Pradesh state on March 15 demanding immediate solution to the issues of Rayalaseema districts evoked magnificent response. Fearing that this programme is going to be a huge success, the state government got arrested activists from Rayalaseema districts enroute to Hyderabad at various points. Still, thousands assembled at Indira Park, Hyderabad and participated in the meeting held by the Left parties and went as a rally to AP assembly, which is in session.

Demanding special package and allocation of funds to irrigation projects in Rayalaseema districts within one year, the Left parties have given call for ‘Chalo Assembly’ to highlight the demands. In the meeting conducted at Indira Park, P Madhu, CPI(M)  state secretary pointed out  that grave  injustice is  being done to Rayalaseema districts as any of the promises  given to Rayalaseema districts, at the time of bifurcation of the state, were not fulfilled by the ruling Modi and Chandrababu Naidu governments. The dharna was also addressed by K Ramakrishna, CPI state secretary, MA Gafoor, Dr Geyanand, M Nageswara Rao, PJ Chandra Sekhar, MLC’s. Obulu from CPI(M) and Obulesu from CPI presided over the meeting.

Banners highlighting the promises made to Rayalaseema districts and its backwardness due to the policies of successive governments were exhibited. The protesters marched towards the assembly by trying to cross iron fencing put up by the police. The protestors including the leadership of Left parties were taken into custody for which there was resistance. In the melee, some activists got injured.

The ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme got an echo inside the AP legislative council too where MLCs belonging to PDF and CPI protested before the podium of the chairman demanding discussion on the issues pertaining to Rayalaseema. Geyanand, MLC from PDF sat in front of the podium and other MLCs pertaining to CPI, Congress, YCP extended their support. They demanded a package of  Rs One lakh crore to Rayalaseema districts and allocation of proper financial resources to complete the irrigation projects located in Rayalaseema as there is acute drought prevailing in that region.