On Friday, in Andhra Pradesh, several trade unions have called for a state-wide shutdown to protest against the move of the Centre to privatize the Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). The CITU leaders also released posters on the AP bandh.
Support for the Bandh
Perni Venkataramaiah, Information and Public Relations Minister said, “VSP should remain as a public asset and it should not be privatized. Our Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has already written a letter to PM Narendra Modi suggesting alternative measures to sustain the steel plant”. On Monday, the CPI(M), CPI, and CPI-ML in a joint statement extended their support to the AP bandh. Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee will also support the bandh. Forum for Development of North Andhra (FDNA) has also extended their total support in the bandh. But the BJP party refrained from supporting the bandh. A political party alleged the BJP leaders for protecting their political future rather than safeguarding the interest of the state.
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Political Motif behind Bandh?
On February 26, there was a protest regarding the Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant. This is the second time that the trade unions had called for a shutdown. But a question remains that is there any political motive in supporting the bandh? CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has criticized the Centre’s step of privatizing the steel plant. He announced on Wednesday that the State Assembly will request the Centre to drop its proposal to privatize the VSP. Jana Sena has also expressed concern over the privatization.
TPT Policy Advocacy & Recommendations
- The political parties while extending their support must take up some necessary steps so that the Centre drops its proposal to privatize the VSP.
- All the people who are taking part in the shutdown must not create any violence. The protest must end peacefully rather than taking the life of someone.
