The Central government’s announcement on 100 percent strategic disinvestment in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant so as to hand over it to the private sector has given a new weapon to the Telugu Desam Party.
Though there has been no official statement from TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu condemning the privatisation of the Vizag Steel Plant, the issue has given a new lease of life to the TDP leaders from north-coastal Andhra who have been facing a virtual existential crisis all these days.
What is surprising is that former minister and TDP leader Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who had been in a silent mode for nearly two years, has suddenly woken up from slumber and sought to capitalise on the steel plant closure issue.
“The Centre has to withdraw its decision to privatise Vizag steel. Otherwise, it may have to witness 100 times bigger and stronger agitation than what farmers are doing near Delhi,” he warned.
Stating that the Vizag Steel Plant was a sentimental issue for the people of Visakhapatnam, he said five crore people would rally behind the agitation for restoration of the steel plant.
TDP parliament member from Srikakulam K Rammohan Naidu also demanded that the Centre withdraw the proposal to privatise the Vizag Steel Plant.
The party is trying to use the opportunity to attack the YSR Congress party, too, by questioning the silence of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Former Minister and senior TDP leader Ch Ayyanna Patrudu said the steel plant reflected the self-respect of the Telugu people.
He alleged that the YSRC government had failed to stop the privatisation move, despite having 28 MPs in Parliament.