As the Narendra Modi-led government has indicated it has started the process of Visakha Steel Plant privatization by closing Blast Furnace-3, emotions are rising in the state and every one is looking towards Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s reaction.
Former TDP MP and senior leader Vadde Sobhanadreeswara has advised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to immediately take steps to stop Prime Minister Modi from this exercise. He warned that if the chief minister failed in protecting Visakha Steel Plant, the people will not forgive him.
He recalled that the Steel Plant was achieved by the people of the state after the sacrifice of 32 people. He deplored that it is unfortunate that the closure of Blast Furnace despite having BJP MP Srinivasa Verma from Andhra as Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel. He asked leaders of the TDP-led alliance to respond against the evil-intention of the central government.
He reminded that the party born for the self-respect of the Telugu people is Telugu Desam and questioned why the TDP, which plays a key role at the Centre, is not preventing the privatization of Visakha Steel Plant? He deplored that despite the visit of Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy to Visakhapatnam and giving assurance there is no change in the attitude of the central government.
Meanwhile, YCP Rajya Sabha Member Vijaya Sai Reddy demanded that the current Vizag Member of Parliament Bharat Mathukumalli and local MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao should resign immediately in protest against the Centre’s decision to privatize the Visaka Steel Plant.
He recalled that the then TDP MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao had resigned from his legislative membership in February 2021 for the protection of the steel plant. Taking Ganta Srinivasa Rao as an example, if the MP and MLA do not resign or put pressure on the government, he warned that history will treat them as traitors and frauds.
However, AP TDP President and local MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao assured that they are responsible for protecting the Visakha Steel Plant. He asserted that if he failed in this regard, he is ready to resign from all positions and work for the preservation of the Plant by sitting with the agitating workers.
TDP’s Visakhapatnam MP Bharat also said that he will reassure the people who have given him a huge majority in Gajuwaka and they will protest the Steel Plant. He recalled that immediately after taking oath, he spoke to Union Minister Kumaraswamy about the issue of the steel plant.
He recalled that Kumaraswamy promised to do good for this plant during his visit to the Visakhapatnam plant. He said that some people have different opinions on the merger of the Plant in SAIL. He assured said there should be no fear about the changes in the steel plant.