Vijayawada: Jana Sena, CPI and CPM have agreed to an electoral alliance for the upcoming general election. CPM has expressed their willingness to work with Jana Sena in both the states. CPI while immediately expressing their willingness to work with Jana Sena and CPM in Andhra Pradesh, have requested more time to confirm their decision regarding an understanding in Telangana. The decisions were taken during a round table meeting that was held on Friday in which Jana Sena chief Mr Pawan Kalyan and CPM, CPI top leaders participated. Talking to reporters after the round table meeting, Mr Kalyan said that these were only preliminary talks and a clear picture on the alliance would emerge after February 3.
The meeting also resolved that the Election Commission of India should form a committee of experts which would address the concerns raised regarding the functioning of electronic voting machines. In addition, a request was also made to resolve that VVPAT paper trail verification should be made mandatory in 10 per cent of the votes polled and counted.
“We are deeply concerned about our natural wealth and environment. Economic growth and development must be incorporated but not at the cost of environmental degradation We have identified that social conflicts are rising due to illegal and irresponsible mining. Progress should also preserve environment. We also resolve to strongly oppose bauxite mining and laterite mining,” said CPI’s Mr Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy.
Meeting also resolved that G.O No: 97 should be withdrawn immediately. Tribal and all such communities that are displaced should be compensated adequately and their livelihoods, protected. Tribals and such communities who were displaced should be consulted, consent taken and compensated. "We have also identified the alarming rise in air pollution and depletion of water ground levels. Potable drinking water should also be made available to all especially in fluoride affected areas", he added.
The meeting discussed the compensation aspect of the land acquisition stating compensation should be paid first before the land acquisition. Meeting also discussed social conflict arising out of indiscriminate land acquisition. Pooling of land for establishment of industrial zones and irrigation projects should always be by consent. All such people displaced should be adequately compensated, R&R package should be implemented in toto.
