TD leaders on hunger strike for steel plant

ANANTAPUR: TD Rajya Sabha member C.M. Ramesh and party MLC Mareddy Ravindra-nath Reddy, better known as ‘BTech’ Ravi, began their hunger strike to protest against the Centre not clearing the steel factory for Kadapa.

“We are firm on protesting till the Central government bends and approves the steel factory for Kadapa,” Mr Ramesh said at the hunger strike venue, the zilla parishad office premises in Kadapa.

Before beginning his fast, Mr Ramesh offered poojas to the local goddess. TD cadres began protests in many parts of Rayalaseema to extend support to Mr Ramesh.

Mr Ramesh said that the Telugu Desam MPs had met Union ministers and officials for four years to get permission for the steel plant. 

“The state government had promised to provide all necessary assistance including land and other infrastructure in presence of Vice-President M. Venk-aiah Naidu. Now, the BJP-led NDA government has submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court that the steel plant was not viable,” Mr Ramesh said.

AP minister C. Adinarayana Reddy said Mr Ramesh’s hunger strike would grow into a huge agitation to press for the genuine demand of the people of Rayalaseema. “The agitation will continue till the Prime Minister announces that he will lay the foundation stone for the unit”, Mr Reddy said.

The Telugu Desam leaders lashed out at YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for not reacting to the Centre foreclosing the possibility of setting up the Kadapa steel plant. “Jagan is unable to fight against the Centre because of the cases he faces,” the minister alleged.