‘Lal Salaam,’ Says Minister Uttam, Calls For Survival Of Communist Ideology In Telangana

Kodad, September 16: Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday invoked “Lal Salaam” as he called for the survival and strengthening of communist ideology in Telangana. He said communists represent an enduring force that fights for workers and the landless poor, and argued that the state’s future would be stronger with vibrant Left movements.

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Speaking at a condolence meeting for veteran CPI leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy at Kasinatham Function Hall in Kodad, Uttam praised the late leader’s lifelong service and said his legacy continues to inspire.

He was addressing a condolence meeting at Kasinatham Function Hall in Kodad in memory of veteran communist leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, who passed away recently. Speaking to a packed gathering of party workers, activists and admirers, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana’s democracy would remain incomplete without strong Left voices. “Communists are ideologically strong people. They fight for the landless, the workers and those who have no voice. Telangana still needs that strength,” he said.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy said communism is not merely a legacy of the past but a continuing necessity. He pointed out that the state has seen rapid industrial growth, urban expansion and technological progress, but many sections remain excluded. Farm labourers, daily wage earners, small farmers and landless poor still struggle for dignity and fair opportunities. “Without the strength of movements that keep governments accountable, inequalities will only widen. Communists have historically filled that role, and their survival is important for the balance of our society,” he observed.

He argued that political space must always remain open to parties that place ideology and principles above electoral expediency. “In an era where politics is often reduced to numbers, the ideological commitment of communists stands out. That commitment is what makes them essential,” he said.

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Paying tributes to Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy described him as one of the finest products of the Left movement. Born in Mahbubnagar in 1942, Sudhakar Reddy’s first act of activism was as a teenager in Kurnool, where he led students demanding blackboards, chalk and books for their school. That early passion for social justice grew into a full political career spanning more than five decades.

Sudhakar Reddy represented Nalgonda twice in the Lok Sabha and later served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India from 2012 to 2019. In Parliament, he chaired the Standing Committee on Labour and was recognised for his consistent advocacy of workers’ rights and social welfare measures. Known for his integrity and simplicity, Sudhakar Reddy lived close to the people he represented. “He was a leader who did not seek power for himself but gave his entire life for the causes he believed in. His life is an example of how ideology can be practised with honesty,” Uttam said.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy also highlighted the historical role of communists in undivided Andhra Pradesh. He recalled that the Telangana Rebellion of 1946–51, led by the communists, was one of the most significant peasant struggles in Indian history. It challenged the feudal landlord system under the Nizam, abolished vetti (bonded labour), redistributed land and created the foundation for agrarian reforms after independence.

He said that communist parties also contributed to literacy campaigns, workers’ movements in factories, and the establishment of unions that defended labour rights in both rural and urban areas. “Even when they did not hold power, communists shaped the political direction of our state. They acted as a conscience, constantly reminding governments of their duties towards the weakest,” he said.

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The Minister noted that in undivided Andhra Pradesh, communist parties often set the tone for public debate on education, healthcare, agrarian reforms and secularism. Their influence, he argued, ensured that questions of equity remained central to state politics.

Looking ahead, Uttam Kumar Reddy urged that the communists’ movement must be revived and re-energised in Telangana. He said the decline of communist representation in recent elections should not be seen as an end of their role. Instead, he emphasised the need for unity, stronger youth involvement and renewed organisational work to reconnect with the masses. “If Telangana is to progress as an inclusive society, then communists and their parties must regain their strength,” he asserted.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy paid his final respects to Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy and the larger movement he represented. He ended his address with the words “Lal Salaam,” saluting the sacrifices of the past and calling for a future where ideology continues to guide politics. (Maxim News)

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