VSP sale to become an effective weapon for Oppn

Visakhapatnam: The most burning issue of privatising Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is certain to leave an impact on the voters residing in various constituencies of Visakhapatnam district.

Despite a prolonged agitation, there is no amicable solution to it in sight.

However, in the days to come, it is largely going to decide the fate of the contesting candidates in Visakhapatnam.

While it is the most sensitive issue for the ruling party YSRCP, it becomes an effective tool for the Opposition to wield it as a weapon to fight against the Union government.

Already, the Opposition has considered the sentiment of the plant strongly and brought it to the public.

The YSRCP, which has a sufficient number of 22 MPs and 151 MLAs, has failed to put pressure on the Centre to withdraw the strategic sale of the prestigious Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

As part of its fight, the ruling YSRCP says it has passed a resolution in the Assembly against the privatisation move and extended its full support for several protest activities undertaken by the trade unions and Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee (VUPPC).

But which party the people repose trust will have to be seen in the ensuing polls. Opposing 100 percent strategic sale of the VSP, the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party organised several protests in order to build confidence among the plant employees.

Former Gajuwaka MLA and TDP Visakhapatnam parliamentary constituency president Palla Srinivasa Rao went a step ahead and launched an indefinite hunger strike in Gajuwaka to save the plant from getting sold. During the protest, he stated that he would not step back until the BJP-led Union government withdrew its decision. However, police foiled his hunger strike later.

Expressing solidarity, former minister and north constituency MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao submitted his resignation as an MLA, opposing the Central government's decision on the sale of VSP. After close to three years, the Assembly Speaker recently accepted the resignation.

Both the party leaders (TDP and JSP), activists extended their support to the Ukku stir in various forms.

JSP president K Pawan Kalyan interacted with the Union ministers on the issue and appealed to them repeatedly to withdraw the decision as it affects the sentiment of Telugu people. In support of the employees, a huge public meeting was held at Kurmannapalem junction under the banner of 'Chaitanya Vedika'.

“Banks, educational institutions and other institutions are largely dependent on the VSP. Also, there is a cash flow of Rs.250 crore in the market every month through the employees of the plant. Except in Andhra Pradesh, handing over of steel PSU units in other states, including Nagarnar Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh, Salem Steel Plant in Tamil Nadu, did not materialise. This is because the Chief Minister of the respective state took a strong stand against it,” opined D Adinarayana, chairman of VUPPC.

At Kurmannapalem junction, trade union representatives and employees continue their relay hunger strike for the past 1,090 days.

About 1 lakh families are employed directly and indirectly at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant along with its allied sectors.

A majority of employees reside in Gajuwaka, Pendurthi and Anakapalli constituencies.

Also, hundreds of people are living in Visakhapatnam west, north, east and south constituencies as well. A sense of insecurity grips a large section of employees as they feel that there is guarantee for their employment as it turns out to be a big question mark.

In the ensuing elections, the VSP employees and their family members are likely to select a strong candidate who is capable of fighting for the VSP from getting privatised against the Centre.

In the recently concluded Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation elections, TDP won a high number of seats in the region.

It is obvious that the voters, who depend on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant for their livelihood, will have an impact on the winning chances of the candidates.

In the ensuing polls, one has to wait and see how the ruling party and the Opposition will gain faith among the voters.