Varavara Rao calls for ‘poll boycott’

In a meet-the-press programme organised by Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ), he gave call for ‘neo-liberal struggle’ against the political forces which swear by the World Bank diktats.

Critical of the attempts to push the message that Maoists were actively becoming part of the mainstream, he lamented that even the intellectuals were being made to believe that they have shunned the struggle. He pointed out that the struggle would continue for as long as the Adivasis were denied their fundamental rights.

On the potential showdown between the big two, Varavara Rao contended that Narendra Modi was merely pushing through their avowed Hindutva agenda while Rahul Gandhi was up front because of dynastic politics.

He regretted that actor, Pawan Kalyan, who often mentioned that Che Guevara was source of constant inspiration for him, was joining hands with outfits like BJP and YSRCP.

He accused Chandrababu Naidu of getting royalty from the World Bank.

“For all the political parties which are in the poll fray, the development model was conflicting and none talks of being self-reliant,” he said.

While endorsing the poll boycott call given by Maoist leaders, Abhay and Ganapati, he asked the government to lift the ban on the outlawed outfit. He also opposed the Common capital and Polavaram project. He lamented that the Security Council did not permit non-Adivasis entering the areas. Amongst other demand, he wanted a forthwith stop of fake encounters, foisting of false false cases and calling off APPS and Grey Hounds.

Recalling the meeting with KCR, he said that the leader does not appear to lift the ban on Naxals, as he held Centre responsible for the decision, even though it was banned under Public Security Act of AP government. He also criticised Professor Kodandaram for his so-called People’s Manifesto, where it could not highlight the issue of human rights clearly.