Left parties stage dharna in Kakinada alleging irregularities in local body polls
Kakinada, Noc 11 (TNT): Left parties staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Wednesday as part of the statewide ‘Save Democracy Day’ protest, alleging large-scale irregularities in the recent local body elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The protesters alleged that the ruling coalition had resorted to electoral malpractices, including using police force to prevent opposition candidates from filing nominations and obstructing voters from exercising their franchise.
Addressing the gathering, CPM district secretary Karanam Prasadarao, CPI district secretary K. Bodakonda and CPI (ML) New Democracy East Godavari district secretary J. Venkateswerlu alleged that the administrative machinery had supported the irregularities.
They questioned the declaration of unanimous victories under alleged coercion and said such practices undermined democratic and constitutional rights.
The Left leaders warned that people would respond to the alleged electoral malpractices in the next elections and demanded that the government ensure free and fair conduct of the forthcoming Gram Panchayat elections.
Ambedkar movement leader Ayithabathula Rameswararao, Pilli Ramarao, CPM district committee member Duvva Seshu Babji, M. Rajasekhar and several other Left party leaders and activists participated in the protest.
TNT TMR
