KTR extends TRS's support to Vizag Steel protests; says BJP capable of even privatising state governments

KTR accused that the BJP led Centre 'is even capable of mulling privatization of the state governments'

The agitation in Andhra Pradesh against Vizag Steel Plant's privatisation has received an unexpected support from neighbouring Telangana.

Telangana IT, industries minister KT Rama Rao has extended his party TRS's support to the protests led by the VSP workers, people's organizations and political parties opposing the Narendra Modi government's bid.

KTR, as the Telangana minister is popularly known, accused that the BJP led Centre “is even capable of mulling privatization of the state governments.”

On Monday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has confirmed that the centre would proceed with 100 per cent disinvestment of its share in Vizag Steel, by way of privatization.

The firm stand, despite the month-long protests and a statewide bandh held on Friday, has intensified the resistance from the workers and locals of the steel city.

On Wednesday, KTR said that the Modi government is not honouring the AP Reorganization Act 2014 assurance of setting up an integrated steel plant at Bayyaram in Telangana, through the Steel Authority of India Limited.

Read more: Centre's VSP privatisation move: Workers intensify agitation; ruling YSRCP faces political heat

“And now in Vizag, the centre is selling off the steel plant, which our Andhra brethren had achieved decades back with the war-cry, “Visakha ukku – Andhrula hakku,” (Vizag steel is Andhra's right)” KTR said addressing an MLC election campaign meeting in Hyderabad.

“I am assuring our moral support to the thousands of workers agitating there on Vizag roads. If needed, we will go there to join their protests, taking CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's approval.”

“If we turn a blind eye to the VSP problem today, tomorrow the (BJP led government) would come after the PSUs like BHEL, Singareni Collieries here. And then they might even say, ``Let's plan privatization of the state governments,” KTR said while seeking Andhra people's support in Telangana issues in return.

While the Telangana statehood agitation had created a rift between the two regions, since their reorganization in 2014, the two Telugu states have been warring over several issues like river water sharing.

Elections for the Hyderabad-RangaReddy-Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam MLC graduate constituencies would be held on 14 March.

The TRS has sharpened its attack on main rival BJP maintaining that the Modi government is biased against Telangana, pointing at non-starter projects like the Hyderabad ITIR, Kazipet rail coach factory, and Bayyaram steel plant.