The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) accused the coalition government of neglecting the development of Vijayawada and demanded that the city develop along with Amaravati.
Addressing a meeting of Vijayawada central constituency members and city committee members and branch secretaries at the party office in the Governorate, CPM state secretariat member C H Babu Rao and state committee member D Kashinath said the government has not taken any major development initiatives to benefit the city.
They alleged that the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is facing a financial crisis and contractors’ bills worth hundreds of crores of rupees remain unpaid. As a result, they claim, several works were stopped, contractors went on strike, there was little response to tenders, and some proposed work was cancelled.
CPI(M) leaders said that although Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu talked about developing Vijayawada along with Amaravati, sufficient funds have not been allocated to the city. They alleged that taxes collected in Vijayawada were not handed over to the civic body on time and were being misused by the state government.
They blamed elected representatives of the ruling coalition for failing to secure funding and development projects for the city, saying they were more concerned with their own interests than public welfare. The leaders also alleged that some political leaders were collecting unauthorized amounts ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 lakh from residents involved in the construction of new buildings. They alleged harassment of citizens by both officials and political leaders, and also expressed concern over alleged encroachment on vacant land and misuse of houses intended for the poor.
The meeting discussed complaints from local party workers and residents about rising prices, electricity bills and the tax burden on housing. He also highlighted the alleged deterioration in the quality of public services, including contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation, mosquito menace, faulty drainage system and inadequate infrastructure.
Mr. Babu Rao and Mr. Kashinath said that the ruling parties vying for votes in the upcoming municipal elections should first explain why the promises made during the Assembly elections were not fulfilled. Claiming that Vijayawada has witnessed significant development in the 10 years that the communists have been in charge of the civic body, they said development has reached slums and hilly areas without increasing taxes. According to them, the communists also opposed measures that imposed burdens on people in opposition.
Published – September 8, 2026 10:14 pm EST.