The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have decided to work together in the upcoming local body elections, with leaders of the both parties holding preliminary discussions on extending mutual cooperation in areas where they are contesting.

CPI leader J.V. Satyanarayana met YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president K.K. Raju at the latter’s office in Maddilapalem in Visakhapatnam on Friday to discuss the proposed electoral understanding.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr. Satyanarayana said the senior leaders of the CPI and the YSRCP had decided in Vijayawada to work together in the forthcoming elections. In line with that decision, he had met YSRCP leaders in Visakhapatnam to discuss coordination at the local level.

He alleged that the elections were being conducted in haste, without providing adequate time. Despite the short time, the CPI and the YSRCP would work together to take on the ruling alliance, he said.

Criticising the NDA government, Mr. Satyanarayana alleged that people had witnessed its performance over the past two-and-a-half years and that several promises made to them remained unfulfilled. He accused the government of focusing more on organising events than addressing public issues.

He also raised concerns over the proposed data centre projects, alleging that environmental interests were being compromised in the name of attracting such investments.

Mr. Raju said the CPI had appreciated the work of the YSRCP and that the meeting focused on extending cooperation in areas where the two parties would be contesting the elections.

He said he would take up the matter with YSRCP regional coordinator and former Minister Kurasala Kannababu and former Minister Gudivada Amarnath to discuss the next course of action and facilitate coordination between the two parties.