The CPI(M) accuses the AP government of neglecting the development of Vijayawada

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on Tuesday (Sep 08, 2026) accused the coalition government of neglecting the development of Vijayawada and demanded that the city be developed alongside Amaravati.

CPM State Secretariat Member CH Babu Rao and State Committee Member D. Kashinath at a meeting of Vijayawada Central Constituency and Municipal Committee members and branch secretaries at the party office in Governorpet claimed that the government has not taken any major development initiative for the benefit of the city.

They alleged that the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) was pushed into a financial crisis, with hundreds of crores of rupees in bills of suppliers remaining unpaid. As a result, they said, several works have stopped, contractors have gone on strike, there has been little response to tenders and some tenders have been cancelled.

CPI(M) leaders alleged that while Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu talked about developing Vijayawada along with Amaravati, adequate funds were not released to the city. They alleged that taxes collected in Vijayawada were not released to the civic body on time and were diverted by the state government.

They accused the ruling coalition’s elected officials of failing to push through funding and development projects for the city, saying they were more concerned with their own interests than the public good. The leaders also alleged that some political leaders were collecting unauthorized amounts ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹10,000 from residents who were constructing new buildings. They alleged harassment of citizens by both officials and political leaders and raised concerns over alleged encroachment on vacant land and misuse of houses meant for the poor.

The meeting discussed the grievances of local party workers and residents on rising prices, electricity charges and house tax. He also highlighted the alleged deterioration of civic services, including contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation, mosquito menace, dysfunctional sewage system and inadequate infrastructure.

Mr. Babu Rao and Mr. Kashinath said that the ruling parties seeking votes in the upcoming municipal elections should first explain why the promises made during the assembly elections were not fulfilled. Claiming that Vijayawada had witnessed significant development during the 10 years that the Communists were in charge of the civic body, they said development had reached slums and hilly areas without raising taxes. Communists also opposed measures that burdened the people when they were in opposition, they argued.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 22:14 IST