TDP and Jana Sena Are Bowing to the Center: Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief Y.S. Sharmila launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of neglecting the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant despite its critical role in providing employment to 26,000 people. She highlighted that the central government allocated substantial funds to the Karnataka Steel Plant, which employs only 243 workers, but failed to extend similar support to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Sharmila criticized the TDP and Jana Sena parties, alleging that they are pandering to the NDA government at the Center. She further stated, “While the JDS, with just two MPs, secured ₹15,000 crore in funds from the Center, the TDP and Jana Sena, who helped bolster the NDA, remain silent and submissive.”

Drawing attention to the ongoing struggles of the steel plant workers, Sharmila noted that labor protests have continued for 1,400 days, demanding justice for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. She alleged that while workers fight for the plant’s survival, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is instead discussing the establishment of Mittal Steel with the Prime Minister.

“Chandrababu is urging the Center to ensure an adequate supply of iron ore for Mittal’s proposed plant. How is this fair?” questioned Sharmila. She reiterated the Congress party’s demand to merge the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to secure its future.

Concluding her remarks, Sharmila demanded that if justice is not delivered to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, both the TDP and Jana Sena should withdraw their support from the NDA government.