SRI VIJAYA PURAM | OCTOBER 25, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
The South Andaman Rural Area Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] conducted a three-day campaign of corner meetings and public-address announcements across rural South Andaman from October 22 to 24, raising issues related to rising prices, employment, electoral-roll revision, drinking-water supply and electricity cuts.
According to a press release issued by the CPI(M) Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee on October 25, the campaign covered Bambooflat, Stewartgunj, Wimberlygunj, Kanyapuram, Mannarghat, Shoalbay, Ferrargunj, Chouldhari, Ograbraj, Tushnabad, Tirur, Collinpur, Mithakhari, Namunaghar and Brindaban, among other areas.
The party said its meetings received a positive response from residents.
CPI(M) Criticises Rising Prices and Employment Situation
D. Laxman Rao, secretary of the South Andaman Rural Area Committee; P. Sathyapal, a State Secretariat member; and Area Committee members S. Chidambaram and K. G. Samkutty addressed the corner meetings, according to the release.
During the meetings, CPI(M) leaders criticised the Central Government over rising prices of essential commodities, particularly LPG cylinders, petrol and diesel. They also alleged that the government had failed to create sufficient employment opportunities for young people and expressed concern over the outsourcing of government jobs.
These criticisms formed part of the party's campaign against the policies of the Central Government.
Party Raises Concerns Over SIR and Electoral Rolls
The CPI(M) leaders demanded the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The party's press release claimed that approximately 50,000 people, excluding deceased persons, had been removed from the electoral rolls in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through SIR. The figure was cited by CPI(M) and has not been independently verified for this report.
The number of names removed, the reasons for individual deletions and the status of eligible voters would need to be established through official electoral records.
Drinking-Water Supply and Electricity Cuts Highlighted
The party also raised concerns over drinking-water availability in rural areas. According to the release, CPI(M) leaders criticised the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and Panchayati Raj institutions, alleging that water was being supplied once every five days during the summer season.
The leaders also expressed concern over frequent power cuts in recent months, which they attributed to the functioning of the Electricity Department.
The claims regarding water-supply frequency and electricity interruptions were made by party representatives and were not independently verified for this report.
Campaign Focuses on Local and National Issues
The three-day programme brought together issues concerning household expenses, employment, electoral-roll revision and basic public services. Through the corner meetings and public-address announcements, CPI(M) sought to draw attention to what it described as shortcomings in government policy and service delivery.
The press release was issued by the CPI(M) Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee for media coverage.
Dweep Tulika has reported the party's statements as claims attributed to CPI(M). Official records and responses from the relevant authorities would be needed to independently establish the figures and service-related allegations cited in the release.