Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 15 (ANI): Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Botsa Satyanarayana has opposed the privatization of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant), asserting that it should remain under public ownership.
Speaking to the media at the Visakhapatnam camp office on Sunday, Botsa emphasized that the issue transcends regional concerns and is a matter of state sentiment. He warned that the party would go to any lengths to save the steel plant, ensuring it remains under public ownership for the benefit of the people.
Botsa highlighted that the steel plant was established through the sacrifice of 32 individuals and the efforts of leaders like Tenneti Viswanatham. He reminded that farmers had contributed 32,000 acres of land to set up the plant. In 2008, under the leadership of YS Rajasekhara Reddy and then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the plant was expanded with an investment of Rs 11,000 crore, showing its importance to the state.
Botsa recalled that previous attempts to privatise the plant were halted due to strong opposition, including from former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He pointed out that, in the past, the former Chief Minister had visited the plant, met with workers’ unions, and wrote to the central government, successfully stopping privatisation efforts.
Botsa said, “The current situation is different, as the BJP does not hold a majority in the central government and relies on allied parties for support.”
He expressed concern over the strategic steps being taken to sell the plant, noting that two furnaces had already been shut down. He demanded that both the central and state governments clarify their stance on VSP’s future and urged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to speak out on the issue.
Stating that the steel plant’s privatisation would be seen as a betrayal of the people, Botsa warned that the YSRCP is prepared to fight to any extent to protect VSP. He called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government to take immediate action, emphasising that this issue is about public sentiment and self-respect, not politics. (ANI)
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