Left Parties, AAP Jointly Announce 25 Candidates For GVMC Polls

VISAKHAPATNAM: Left parties and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced a joint list of 25 candidates for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections. They appealed to voters to support their alliance for a corruption-free, people-centric administration.

The list comprises 14 candidates from the CPM, six from the CPI, four from the AAP and one independent candidate. The announcement came during a press conference at the CPM office in Visakhapatnam.

CPM state leader Ch. Narsinga Rao, CPI state assistant secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy, AAP district convener Mikkili Ravi Bhaskara Rao, along with other leaders, have appealed to voters to reject candidates of the ruling TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance. They alleged that the government policies are favouring corporate interests at the expense of public welfare and democratic values.

The leaders pointed out that Visakhapatnam is facing several challenges, including air pollution, water scarcity, and diversion of public resources. They criticised the government’s decision to allocate hill areas for data centres, arguing that it could worsen the environmental concerns and put additional pressure on city’s infrastructure.

Further, the left and APP leaders accused the coalition government of failing to address the rising pollution and inadequate drinking water supply. They went on to charge the state government with diverting funds belonging to GVMC and Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA).

The left leaders highlighted their role in securing improved drinking water supply through the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme and passing resolutions against the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. They said left-affiliated corporators have consistently raised public issues in the civic body and worked to resolve them.

The leaders appealed to voters to support the joint electoral effort of the CPM, CPI, MCPI, CPI (ML) Prajaporu, SUCI (C), and AAP. They promised governance that is accountable, improved civic services, and development focused on public welfare.

Others present at the press conference included CPM district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu, CPI district leader Paidiraju, and representatives of other supporting parties.

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