CPI not to contest byelections

BARDHAN HYDERABAD: The CPI will not contest the forthcoming by-elections in the state and is likely to support Telugu Desam candidates. This was declared by CPI general secretary AB Bardhan after meeting TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s residence here on Monday. Apart from the Assembly elections in five states, the two opposition leaders discussed the liquor scam and the political situation in the state.Bardhan is in the city to attend the party’s three-day state conference commencing in Karimnagar on Tuesday. Naidu wanted the CPI not to field its candidates. The CPI’s big brother, the CPM, however decided to contest two seats. That the CPM took the decision without consulting it seems to have irked the CPI. After taking the decision, the CPM formally sent a letter to the CPI on Sunday seeking CPI’s support to CPM candidates. But the CPI turned down its request.Bardhan said the state committee would decide on change of state CPI’s leadership at the Karimnagar meeting. Whether state secretary K Narayana would be allowed another term or replaced will be decided by the committee.Meanwhile, TDP MLA Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu demanded removal of excise minister Mopidevi Venkataramana from the cabinet and making public the ACB report on the activities of liquor mafia.Speaking to reporters at NTR Bhavan, the TDP leader alleged that the families and friends of the chief minister and PCC president were involved in the liquor scam in their native districts of Chittoor and Vizianagaram but the ACB suppressed the information it gathered in raids.