CPI protests against inflation, accuses Centre of squeezing common people

Karimnagar: CPI leaders staged a protest in front of the District Collectorate in Karimnagar on Wednesday against the rising prices of LPG cylinders, petrol, diesel and essential commodities, accusing the BJP-led Central government of placing an increasing financial burden on common people.

The protest was organised following a call given by the CPI State Committee. Activists and party leaders took out a rally from the Karimnagar MPDO office crossroads to the District Collectorate, raising slogans against the Centre’s economic policies and the continuous increase in fuel and household commodity prices.

Tension prevailed during the demonstration when CPI activists attempted to enter the Collector’s office premises. Police intervened to prevent them from proceeding further, leading to a brief scuffle. CPI State Secretary and former MLA Chada Venkat Reddy, District Secretary Panjala Srinivas and several other leaders were subsequently taken into police custody.

Addressing the protesters, Chada Venkat Reddy alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government had pushed the country deeper into debt while extending benefits to large corporate houses. He criticised the Centre for increasing LPG, petrol and diesel prices despite a decline in international crude oil prices.

The CPI leader also claimed that rising prices of edible oils, pulses and other essential commodities had adversely affected poor and middle-class families by weakening their purchasing power. He further criticised changes related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), alleging that they had increased the burden on State governments and impacted rural livelihoods.

Venkat Reddy said the CPI would continue its agitation against price rise across Telangana and announced plans for nationwide campaigns in August and a “Chalo Delhi” programme in September. State Council member Ponaganti Kedari, City Secretary Kasireddy Surender Reddy and District Executive member Koyyada Srujan Kumar also participated in the protest.