The state government has not yet made it stand clear regarding the state bandh, which is scheduled for the 5th of this month to oppose the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The Visakhapatnam Steel Conservation Struggle Committee has been staging several protests against the privatisation of the steel plant since the sixth of last month. Employees who are continuing the relay hunger strike camp are gradually increasing the intensity of the movement. As part of that, a state bandh was called. However, for the bandh to be successful, it needs the cooperation of the government.
State government officials are totally opposed to the privatization of the Visakhapatnam steel plant, as they are not willing to put Andhra sentiment in the hands of private individuals, and hence would continue to be concerned until the central government reverses its decision and will stand by the workers along with the JAC. As part of this, Tourism Minister Muthamsetti Srinivasa Rao held regular meetings with steel plant trade union leaders and Communist Party leaders. They announced that they would try their best to prevent privatization. Not a day goes by without mentioning the letter written by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to the Prime Minister. At the Visakhapatnam airport, the Chief Minister even held talks with trade union leaders for an hour and a half and promised that he would not let it happen. It will be clear on Friday to what extent such a state government will help make the bandh a success. The bandh will be complete only if the government orders the closure of government offices, RTC buses and other systems running on a daily basis. The more successful the bandh, the stronger the Andhra sentiment will reach the centre. And in this case, it has to be seen whether the state government is behaving like a cat on the wall? Or whether it stands on behalf of the workers.
The central government has not responded to the concerns of political parties and trade unions. The industry over is finalizing arrangements for bidding. The committee was appointed to complete the process within the next two months. With this the trade unions decided to take the intensity of the movement to another level. As part of that, a state bandh was called. The committee members are rallying the support of the people and all sections for the bandh to be held on March 5. The Centre is looking at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant like any other industry and is prepared to make any sacrifice to protect it, and warn that the industry should not be privatized. Former MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao also went on a hunger strike. Prominent figures across the state are supporting the steel plant movement.
The ruling YSRCP leaders do not know what is on their minds but have repeatedly said that they fully support the movement. Similarly, they are participating in many activities organized by trade unions. Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy led a 25 km long walk from GVMC Gandhi Statue to Kurmannapalem Junction. But are they doing all this for political gain? Or whether they will stand by the people and move forward will be clear on the day of the bandh? The closure of shops, which are usually open on the day of the bandh, the obstruction of transport vehicles on the roads, the handling of public offices and private companies, and the holding of roadblocks, rallies and dharnas all play a key role in the success of the bandh. Aside from how many volunteers come forward to participate in the bandh, coercion is common.
However, there are many criticisms that the padayatra made by Vijayasai Reddy was an election campaign. The march, which covered all constituencies and criticized the opposition, was strengthened by the open house. It remains to be seen whether such dramas will be played on the day of the bandh or in good faith. Meanwhile, protests have started in other parts of the state in support of the movement that started in Visakhapatnam. The fight will continue until the centre reverses its decision. Rallies and protests are being held in many districts of the state.
If the transport vehicles from Andhra Pradesh to other states stop that will have an effect on other states as well. The movement is being discussed in other states as well. Concerns over the privatization of public sector companies there are likely to escalate. The movement will no doubt touch the central government if thousands of transport vehicles stop somewhere. Although there is a possibility of further damage to the state financially, there are no indications that the Visakhapatnam steel plant will survive if the movement is intensified.
While defending the central government’s decision, BJP state leaders have been announcing that they will do their part to prevent privatization. Two days ago, BJP state president Somu Veerraju made it clear that privatization would not be easy. Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao, who visited Visakhapatnam on Monday and Tuesday, has been making two contradictory statements. He said privatization would improve the steel plant and the central government had taken such a decision for the survival of the company and there was no possibility of reversing the decision. Another comment was made the next day. He said privatization was not a quick process and that another 34 companies would have to be privatized before the steel plant could be completed and the steel plant would have to be considered once it was completed. Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party and YSRCP leaders have been accused of side-lining the people for political gains. This has completely eroded public confidence in the BJP.
