Political parties show double standard in VSP issue: porata committee leaders

Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee leaders and activists on Sunday (November 23) reiterated that political party leaders, especially their chiefs, are making double standards on RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL-VSP) issue. They make one statement before elections, and then take a completely opposite view when they come to power. Recent incidents are some examples, they added.

Politicians had promised them that they would save the steel plant if voted to power, but now they have joined hands with the BJP at the Centre to slowly weaken the steel plant, they said at the porata deeksha camp held at Gandhi statue opposite GVMC main office at Dwarakanagar here.

They alleged that the BJP government at the Centre changed its tone on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant as soon as it came to power and was making false statements. Efforts should be made to gather necessary support from public to take the mass movements further.

Committee chairperson D. Adinarayana and other senior leaders, including Mantri Rajasekhar, J. Ayodhya Ramu, R.S.V. Kumar among others appealed to leaders and activists of all political parties to work together. They urged them to work for a single agenda of saving the Vizag Steel Plant from the clutches of corporates.

“Merger of RINL-VSP in Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is the only viable option that the government can take to revive the steel plant and bring it back to its original state. At the same time, the government should also allocate captive mines to reduce the cost of production and make the product available at low prices for government projects and the people of the country,” the leaders said.

Meanwhile, journalist Tulsi Chandu, who visited the protest site on Sunday, said that as a journalist, she does not support any political party when it comes to penning down news about the VSP. Her intention and goal is to reveal the facts of the steel plant and its current status to the government and the people.

The development of the State depends on jobs for the youth. Industrial units like the VSP are one of the biggest platforms that provide employment and livelihood to people. The steel plant came into existence as a result of the sacrifices of 32 people, but now the State and Union governments are not taking these facts into consideration, she lamented. She also demanded that all political parties and leaders work together for the protection of the VSP by exerting pressure on the State and Union governments.