Left parties, AAP join hands for GVMC polls; alliance backs 25 candidates

The CPI(M), CPI and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have joined hands to contest the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections, and other Left parties are supporting the alliance. They have pledged to raise civic issues, oppose pollution and protect public resources.

At a press conference at Yechury Bhavan in Maddilapalem, Visakhapatnam on Friday (October 23, 2026), the leaders released their candidate lists and appealed to voters to support their corporator candidates in the November 1 election. They also announced support for independent candidate B. Ramani in Ward 119.

The leaders appealed to people to support the decision of the CPI(M), CPI, MCPI, CPI(ML) (Praja Poru), SUCI and AAP to contest the elections together to provide alternative and accountable governance and services in the GVMC.

Those present included M. Jaggu Naidu, CPI(M) district secretary; J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy, CPI State assistant secretary; Ch. Narasinga Rao, CPI(M) State leader; M. Pydiraju, CPI district leader; and M. Ravi Bhaskar Rao, AAP district convener.

Mr. Narasinga Rao alleged that the government was promoting corporate interests at the expense of ordinary people. He raised concerns over proposed data centres, saying they could affect the region’s green cover and water resources. He urged voters to elect Left-backed candidates, saying the Communists stood by the poor.

“Questioning is fundamental to democracy. Without questioning, democracy cannot survive,” Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy said. He alleged that opposition candidates had faced intimidation and that nomination papers had been torn. He also questioned claims of corruption-free governance and raised concerns about the environmental impact of proposed hyperscale data centres.

Mr. Ravi Bhaskar Rao said the alliance sought an alternative form of administration for the city. He said ideologically aligned parties had come together.

Mr. Pydiraju said six CPI candidates would contest the elections with the support of the CPI(M), other Left parties and the AAP. The alliance said it would focus on civic concerns, including rising taxes, access to essential services and the protection of public resources.

Mr. Jaggu Naidu announced the party-wise list of candidates for corporator posts: the CPI(M) will field 14 candidates, the CPI six and the AAP four. The alliance is also supporting one independent candidate, taking the total to 25 candidates.