The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] convened a series of important meetings at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali, Sri Vijaya Puram, in the presence of Polit Bureau Member and Party In-Charge for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, K. Balakrishnan. The visit marks a significant push by the party to intensify its political engagement across the territory.
The State Organising Committee, in a meeting held on July 12, decided to launch a territory-wide agitation highlighting the BJP government’s failure to address critical issues in the Power, Roads, Health, and Shipping sectors. As part of this campaign, the CPI(M) will organize a Raj Nivas March on August 22, 2025, in Sri Vijaya Puram, where a memorandum will be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor listing the hardships faced by island residents.
Earlier in the day, the State Secretariat met to review the political situation in the islands. D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI(M) A&N State Organising Committee, presented the Political and Organisational Report, outlining challenges faced by islanders. The afternoon session focused on the functioning of the Party and the activities of class and mass organizations. Projit Kumar Sarkar, State Secretariat Member, presided over the proceedings.
Addressing the Organising Committee, K. Balakrishnan urged the leadership to implement the tasks outlined during the 24th Party Congress held in April 2025 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He stressed the need to counter communal forces and enhance the party’s influence in the islands.
The Party also adopted a resolution calling on the Government of India to establish a Legislative Assembly for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, modeled after Puducherry, to ensure local participation in governance. Additionally, the meeting expressed deep concern over allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and nepotism within the Andaman & Nicobar State Cooperative Bank Ltd., reportedly under Congress control, and criticized the alleged support extended to it by central BJP leaders.
Upon his arrival at Sri Vijaya Puram Airport on July 12, Balakrishnan received a warm welcome from CPI(M) leaders and workers led by State Secretary D. Ayyappan.
The next day, July 13, a separate meeting was held for party members from Sri Vijaya Puram town and rural South Andaman. Balakrishnan briefed attendees on the Central Committee meeting held in New Delhi from June 3 to 5, 2025. In his address, he criticized the Indian government’s alleged submission to U.S. imperialism and condemned the BJP-RSS for spreading communal hatred and pushing neoliberal policies favoring corporate interests. He cited the success of the All India General Strike on July 9, 2025, as a clear sign of public resistance led by workers and farmers.
State Secretariat Members D. Laxman Rao and B. Chandrachoodan also spoke at the gathering, which was presided over by D. Ayyappan. The series of meetings signifies CPI(M)’s renewed focus on grassroots mobilization and political accountability in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
