The BJP-led government at the Centre is bound to face a rout in the face of growing public discontent over its “anti-poor and pro-corporate” policies, CPI State secretary and Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao said on Thursday.

He was speaking at a meeting held in Khammam to mark the culmination of the CPI’s Jana Chaitanya Yatras. Earlier, party workers organised a huge rally, with artistes of the CPI’s Praja Natya Mandali staging performances.

Mr. Rao said the recent student (Gen Z) protests over the ‘NEET-UG paper leak’ issue had put the BJP government at the Centre under pressure eventually leading to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He alleged that the BJP government was favouring select corporate entities at the expense of the interests of the poor and the country’s economy. The mounting public discontent would lead to the party’s defeat across the country, he claimed.

Mr. Rao said the Communist parties would continue to fight to protect welfare schemes and rights secured through prolonged struggles and champion the interests of workers and other marginalised sections.

He wondered why the ruling Congress leaders in the State were taking exception to the CPI’s demand for fulfilment of the promises made by the party during the elections. The CPI would continue to raise people’s issues with unwavering commitment and stand by them in seeking their resolution, he said.

CPI national council member Bagam Hemanth Rao, senior leader Mohd. Maulana and others spoke.