Tens of thousands of agricultural workers and small peasants came on to the streets in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states today protesting against the Central government's moves to scuttle MNREGA. They held rallies, conducted dharnas in all districts of the two states as part of the all India protest day call given by the CPI(M) on this issue.Addressing the protestors in front of Vijayawada sub collector's office CPI(M) Polit Bureau member B V Raghavulu warned of intensified nationwide movement if the Modi government doesn't refrain from scuttling the MNREGA. He said the CPI(M) and Left parties fought for many years and ensured this was enacted as a law by the UPA government. CPI(M) Andhra Pradesh secretary P Madhu also participated in the dharna.
Addressing the protestors in front of Hyderabad collectorate CPI(M) Telangana state secretariat member S Malla Reddy criticised the Modi government for trying to snatch away whatever little livelihood support that was being provided by the MNREGA. On the other hand the government was showering largess to its favourite corporates like Adani group. He said the CPI(M) will strongly resist this move of Modi government to dilute and ultimately scuttle the Act. The one day dharna by the Tripura chief minister on this issue of the poorest of the poor is an indication of CPI(M)'s resolve to resist this move of Modi government. Later a delegation of CPI(M) leaders met the Collector and submitted a memorandum seeking strengthening of MNREGA.