DEMANDING pattas for podu tillers (tribal peasants), double bedroom houses for eligible poor, the CPI(M) organised a big rally in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district centre, Kothagudem. The rally marched from the Lakshmidevipalli Mandal market yard to the Collectorate Dharna Chowk. In front of the demonstration, cultural programmes like district tribal dances, performances by Praja Natya Mandali artists, dances by transgenders etc attracted the people. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Brinda Karat and Party state secretary, Tammineni Veerabhadram participated in the rally.  The public meeting on January 25, was chaired by district secretary of the Party, Annavarapu Kanakaiah.

Brinda Karat said that the BJP government at the centre, without consulting any farmer unions, brought the three farm laws for the benefit of Ambani and Adani. The tractor rally in lakhs on the Republic Day in Delhi is going to be the beginning of the death knell for the Modi government. For 60 days, the farmers have been agitating in Delhi in the bitter cold, but the Modi government is reluctant to arrive at a solution. For such a callous attitude, this government will have to pay a heavy penalty. We will stand with the farmers, till these anti-farmer laws are repealed, she said and noted that the Forest Rights Act enacted with the support of the communists during the UPA time is being diluted by this BJP government. As long as the Forest Rights Act is there, the podu lands would belong to tribals and pattas would have to be given to tribals who are tilling the land for decades.

Speaking on the occasion, T Veerabhadram said that forgetting the promises given to farmers, lands are being taken away from farmers in the name of harithaharam by the TRS government in the state. When lakhs of tribals applied for pattas, so far even half of them have not been given these pattas. The CPI(M) will be with the tribals in their struggle, he said. M Baburao, ex-MP, P Sudersan Rao, party secretariat member and others also spoke.

Earlier, in support of the farmers' agitation in Delhi, farmers and workers held a dharna at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram park in Hyderabad on January 23. AIKS national joint secretary, Vijoo Krishnan attended the dharna. It was presided over by AIKSCC state convenor, T Sagar, and other kisan and trade union leaders.

Vijoo Krishnan said that the historic farmers’ agitation is not only for repeal of agricultural laws but also for alternative policies. Professor K Nageswar also addressed the dharna.