The Communist Party of India (Marxist) sought on Tuesday the immediate withdrawal of eviction notices issued to residents of Old Rajarajeswaripeta in Vijayawada, warning of a protest outside the Divisional Railway Manager’s (DRM) office if the notices were not revoked.
Railway authorities have directed families living along the railway track in the locality to vacate their houses by August 5. CPI(M) leaders, under the party’s West City Committee banner, visited the colony and assured residents of support.
Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government had failed to protect poor families facing displacement and criticised it for remaining silent over the Railway department’s action. He claimed that many of the affected families had been living in the area for nearly five decades.
Mr. Babu Rao also accused Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath and local MLA Y. Sujana Chowdary of failing to fulfil their promise of securing house-site ‘pattas’ for residents. He alleged that while governments readily allocate land to large industries, they were unwilling to safeguard the homes of economically weaker sections.
He further claimed that nearly 20 acres had earlier been allotted to the Railways in Singh Nagar but remained largely unused, and questioned the need to evict residents from Old Rajarajeswaripeta. He also alleged that tenders had been floated to lease Vijayawada railway station to private entities for 99 years and demanded the withdrawal of the eviction notices.
CPI(M) Vijayawada West City secretary Boyi Satyababu also criticised the eviction drive and warned of intensified protests if the notices were not withdrawn. Several CPI(M) leaders participated in the programme.
Published - July 14, 2026 07:19 pm IST