Telangana

HYDERABAD: CPM censures Tammineni Veerabhadram

Listen to Story
Tammineni Veerabhadram at CPM meeting in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has censured senior leader Tammineni Veerabhadram, alleging deviation from party norms during his tenure as Telangana state secretary.

In a four-page letter to the state committee, the Central Committee said “wrong political approaches” were followed during the 2024 election of the new state secretary. It alleged that instead of democratic discussion and consensus-building, “lobbying, inducements and identity-based appeals” took place.

It said the state committee was “vertically split” during the election process and described factionalism as having reached “an alarming level”.

“Despite repeated appeals by Politburo members to restore unity, a section of the leadership, including then state secretary Tammineni, did not agree to step back. As a result, efforts to preserve party unity did not succeed,” the letter stated. It added that “objectionable and unacceptable trends” were visible and that party discipline was violated.

Several state committee members raised serious allegations about lobbying, backroom negotiations and campaign activities, the letter said. “Such conduct by senior leaders has never occurred before. It is completely against party traditions and political culture,” it noted.

The Central Committee earlier sought explanations from Tammineni Veerabhadram and state committee members Skylab Babu and Prasad. Expressing dissatisfaction over their responses, it said the explanations were incomplete and lacked self-criticism. All three were censured and disciplinary action initiated.

Tammineni has been directed to attend state secretariat meetings as an observer and function under the guidance of the state secretariat.

The issue was discussed at a key CPM meeting held at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram on Monday. The Central Committee’s letter will be circulated to branch secretaries.

The party leadership had earlier identified an “unhealthy atmosphere” in the organisational structure. Based on a report, a two-member commission comprising Politburo members Srideep Bhattacharya and K. Balakrishnan was sent on August 18, 2025, to inquire into the matter. The action followed their findings.

‘Why not say India First?’

Leaders criticise Modi’s foreign policy stance

At the extended state-level meeting, Politburo member R. Arun Kumar questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not say “India First” as US President Donald Trump says “America First”.

He criticised Modi for praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his Israel visit, asking whether such remarks were appropriate.

State secretary John Wesley demanded budgetary allocations to implement election promises.

(For article corrections, please email hyderabadmailorg@gmail.com or fill out the Grievance Redressal Form.)