LEFT IN ANDHRA 35 these revolutionaries later became socialists who intended to convert Congress into an instrument of struggle from what they regarded as "merely a forum for compromise with imperialism". Meanwhile, in 1934 Amir Haider Khan, "a Moscow trained Bolshevik propagandist", attempted to form the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Madras'. He was interned before he could achieve his purpose and in July 1934, the CPI was declared an "unlawful association^ Nevertheless, some of his followers were able to form the Andhra Provincial Communist Party (APCP) with local branches in Madras, Guntur, Krishna and West Godavari. The first secret communist conference was held at Kakinada, where P. Sundarayya l^was elected as General Secretary. Since the CPI was declared illegal, the provincial party could not carry on open public activities in Andhra. However, the CPPs "United Front" strategy enabled the entire party to join the Andhra Provincial Congress Socialist Party (APCSP). In fact most of the communists in Andhra who were active in the labour organisations (the Labour Protection Leagues) joined the APCSP to use it as a platform for their activities. After the decision of the All India Congress Socialist Party (AICSP) that provincial parties should be organised, the APCSP was formed in June 1934, by "Congressmen of socialist views"4. The main objective of the party according to N.G. Ranga was, "to convert the Congress to socialism". It was also resolved to expand the party organisation throughourAndhra. Accordingly, branches were established at Eluru, Guntur, Gudivada and Bezwada. Initially, the activities of the party were confined to organising various conferences; hplding meetings in furtherance of socialist propaganda; and organising tours of national leaders such as Jaya Prakash Narain, Y. Mehrauli, M.R. Masani, S.A. Dange and Jawaharlal Nehru who addressed meetings at several places. During his visit in 1936, Nehru observed : "In Tamilnad I had noticed considerable sympathy with socialistic ideas... Hert, in Andhra Desa, this is still more noticeable. The peasantry, as well as the young people, have expressed themselves very definitely in favour of these socialist ideas."\ Various resolutions were passed condemning the ban on the CPI; calling on Vouth Leagues and socialist organisations to agitate for the release of Amir Haider Khan and other political prisoners; recommending the formation of action committees to propagate ^mi-imperialist ideals; advocating the adoption of socialistic methods to achieve independence; and' appreciating Nehru's attempt to start civil liberties unions. "Ann-imperialist Day", and "Russia Day" were also celebrated. A secret report noted that, "with a view to capturing the socialist parries in Andhra and carrying on their activities through them, P. Sundararama Reddi and his followers in the Telugu districts concentrated their energies organising the party on efficient lines'^1. The communists were successful in expanding the organisation throughout Andhra and their efforts resulted in the socialists and communists securing more seats in the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee (APCC) and All-India Congress Committee7 (AICC). Within a short period the communist influence in the socialist party began to grow steadily. By 1987, communists came to dominate both the district ^nd provincial corn-