We will construct Kadapa steel plant: AP CM

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said that his government, without the help of the Centre, will lay the foundation stone for the construction of a steel plant in Rayalaseema region in a month's time.

Addressing the seventh edition of Dharma Porata Deeksha (struggle for seeking justice) at Proddutur in Kadapa district on Tuesday, Naidu said on Kadapa steel plant will be taken in the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday.

The Dharma Porata Deeksha is being organised against the Modi government for denying special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

“I visited New Delhi 29 times with the list of unfulfilled business including the Kadapa steel plant. We assured the Centre that we will give iron ore, power and land and 50% subsidy in state taxes,” Naidu said.

Naidu says that the iron ore available in Anantapur will be sufficient to feed the steel plant for 50 years.

Attack on Jagan

Naidu also wanted to know if Opposition leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who hails from Kadapa district, ever raised a demand for the steel factory from the Modi government.

“Instead he chooses to vitiate atmosphere by enacting a knife attack drama while an international cricket match and Fintech 2018 were going on in Visakhapatnam,” Naidu pointed out.

He reminded the people of the train burning incident in Tuni when the state was busy hosting its first partnership summit in Vizag.

“There was a claymore mine attack on me in Alipiri, on the foothills of Tirumala, did I ever blame Jagan’s father for that attack,” Naidu questioned.

He further said the incident occurred in the airport, which is under the command of CISF, that too by a Jagan’s follower. “Actually I wanted to call him and wish him a speedy recovery but the YSRCP has made me accused number one. So I dropped the idea,” Naidu said.

Operation Garuda

Naidu said initially, he didn't give any credence to Operation Garuda, which according to actor Sivaji is BJP's game plan to destabilise the ruling parties in southern states. “I warn the Centre not to play with AP with the help of Jagan and Pawan Kalyan. We will teach them a lesson,” Naidu said.