THE 27th conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Andhra Pradesh called for uniting all Left and secular forces to combat the growing communalism in the state. The conference resolved to resist government policies that allocate public funds and assets to corporates while burdening the people. It also emphasized strengthening the Party’s independent base, which is crucial for building Left unity. The conference was held in Nellore from February 1 to 3, 2025. Nellore is the home district of Comrade P Sundarayya, the founder of the communist movement in South India. The last state conference held in Nellore was in 1978, under his guidance.

INAUGURATION

The Red Flag was hoisted by P Madhu, former CPI(M) state secretary, marking the beginning of the conference. Before this, flags were received by leaders from the captains of five jathas conducted from various parts of the state. The jathas focused on the following demands: comprehensive relief and rehabilitation for those displaced by the Polavaram project; opposition to the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant; cancellation of the agreement with SECI on Adani Group’s solar power project, while also protesting against tariff burdens, true-up charges, etc; construction of a steel plant in Kadapa as per the State Reorganisation Act and establishing Amaravati as the capital of the state.

All India leaders, guests, state leaders, delegates, and observers paid floral tributes to martyrs at the memorial column before entering the conference hall, named after Comrade Sitaram Yechury.

MA Gafoor, Party Central Committee member, chaired the inaugural session. Polit Bureau members MA Baby and BV Raghavulu, Central Secretariat member R Arun Kumar, CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna, and CPI(M) Central Committee members K Hemalata, S Punyavati, and B Venkat, along with members of the state secretariat were present on the dais. A condolence resolution was moved, and the conference observed a moment of silence in honour of the martyrs. Reception Committee chairman, Dr. Madala Venkateswara Rao welcomed the delegates and expressed hope that mass movements would advance further by implementing the conference's decisions.

MA Baby, in his inaugural address, exposed the communal hatred spread by the BJP-RSS combine and the Modi-led central government’s authoritarian rule. He explained how the central government has been stripping state governments of their rights and financial resources, violating the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution. He urged the TDP and Janasena parties to reconsider their alliance with the disastrous BJP.

CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna, greeting the conference, emphasized the need to advance Left forces in the state. He criticised the BJP-led central government’s anti-people policies and highlighted the harm it has inflicted on Andhra Pradesh. Following this, CPI(M) state secretary V Srinivasa Rao proposed a resolution on the state’s political situation, warning about the growing threat of communalism. The conference unanimously adopted the resolution.

DELEGATE SESSION

V Srinivasa Rao proposed the presidium, steering committee, credentials committee, resolutions committee, and minutes committee, all of which were unanimously elected by the conference. He then presented the political-organisational report of the state committee. He detailed how communal forces have been infiltrating various parts of the state, particularly tribal and coastal areas. He elaborated on the Party’s efforts to implement the decisions of the 23rd Party Congress held in Kannur and the 26th state conference conducted in Tadepalli. He stressed the importance of building a Left-democratic alternative and strengthening the Party’s independent base. The report also underlined holding local struggles and building local leadership.

Delegates were divided into respective groups for discussions. A total of 83 comrades, representing various districts and mass fronts, participated in the discussions. Almost all of them welcomed the self-critical and explanatory nature of the political-organisational report and concurred with its findings. Some suggested factual corrections, while others provided recommendations for strengthening the report. Discussions spanned from the afternoon of the first day through the entirety of the second day, lasting approximately nine hours.

On the third day morning, V Srinivasa Rao, on behalf of the steering committee, replied to the discussions. The conference then adopted the report. Control Commission chairman J Anjayya presented the Commission’s report, which was also adopted by the delegates.

The conference was attended by 362 delegates and 101 observers from 27 districts and various mass fronts, as per the credentials report. Among them, 73 per cent had faced arrests in different struggles and agitations. 76 per cent of the delegates belonged to SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities. The conference unanimously adopted the credentials report. A new committee comprising 49 members, with one co-option, was proposed and unanimously elected by the delegates. Representation of women and the marginalised sections improved, and the average age of the committee members decreased to 51.9 years.

The conference also elected 22 delegates and five alternate delegates to the 24th Party Congress, along with a five-member Control Commission. The newly elected state committee re-elected V Srinivasa Rao as the secretary and unanimously formed a 15-member secretariat. The Control Commission members elected M Sitaram as its chairman. The conference adopted 39 resolutions on various issues concerning the people of the state.

Sharing his observations, MA Baby emphasized the need to promote widespread cultural activities to combat the growing influence of Hindutva forces. R Arun Kumar also addressed the conference, recalling his experiences with the movement during his student days in the state.

In his speech, BV Raghavulu stressed the importance of mass fronts engaging in residential area work to strengthen ties with the people. He asserted that militant activity and sustained struggles would lead to success. He also emphasized the need to understand the people's views and lead the movement accordingly. Talking about the prevalent weaknesses, he suggested remedial measures for improvement.

V Srinivasa Rao assured the confrence that the newly elected state committee and secretariat would take forward the conference’s decisions to advance mass movements in the state. He thanked the reception committee and commended the volunteers for their efforts in making the conference a success. The delegate session concluded enthusiastically with the singing of the Internationale.

PUBLIC RALLY

A big rally was organised from Atmakur Bus Stand to VR College Grounds, where a public meeting was held. The people of Nellore welcomed the rally participants as they marched through the streets, holding red flags. The public meeting was chaired by Mula Ramesh, CPI(M) Nellore district secretary.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat was the chief speaker. She criticised the anti-people central budget and exposed the hollowness of the finance minister’s assurances in her speech. Brinda Karat highlighted how the Modi government is surrendering to corporate interests, diverting public funds and assets to big businesses. She also explained how the BJP-led central government is eroding the rights of state governments, attempting to turn India into a unitary state by dismantling the federal structure enshrined in the Constitution. Several all India and state leaders also addressed the gathering. Artists performed cultural programmes as part of the public meeting.

In connection with the conference, a cultural festival was organised from January 27 to 29 in Nellore. Film producer-director Tammareddy Bharadwaja inaugurated the festival, and renowned lyricist-singer Goreti Venkanna participated in the valedictory function. Various cultural programmes were performed by artists. Additionally, a book exhibition titled Simhapuri Pustaka Pradarshana was held at VR College Grounds from January 28 to February 3.