The CPI(M) and CPI have decided to contest the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and local body elections together, their district secretaries, M. Jaggu Naidu and Sk. Rehman, said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference at Yechury Bhavan in Pithapuram Colony, they said that the parties would focus on drinking water supply, pollution control, civic amenities and oppose the increases in property tax linked to property values.

CPI(M) district secretariat member B. Padma, CPI district assistant secretary Chandra Sekhar, MCPI leader M.V.N.R. Patnaik, CPI(ML) Prajaporu district secretary Deva and SUCI(C) leader S. Govindarajulu also attended the meeting.

The leaders alleged that the coalition government had failed to fulfil its electoral promises. They said their agenda included protecting the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and public sector undertakings, curbing corruption in the GVMC, easing traffic congestion and improving civic services.

They also pledged to press for basic amenities for TIDCO housing beneficiaries and demanded house sites measuring two cents in urban areas and three cents in rural areas for the homeless. They appealed to the youth and intellectuals to support the Left candidates.