We will protect padayatra, says BJP MP Ramesh

VISHAKAPATNAM: Rajya Sabha member and BJP leader C.M. Ramesh justified the padayatra being taken out by Amaravati farmers from Amravati to Arasavilli. He said BJP would provide security cover to protect farmers on their way to Arasavilli.

“We will shield the yatris and walk along with them. An attack on them will be considered as an attack on BJP,” Ramesh told reporters in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

The BJP MP said it is shocking that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy threatened farmers even while speaking in the State Legislative Assembly.

“No force on earth can stop Amaravati from becoming capital,” he declared. He maintained that centre will not support the stand of YSRC government (of three capitals), since foundation stone for Amaravati as capital had been laid by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.

On renaming of health university after YSR, Ramesh said even YSRC leaders and workers are unhappy with the change in name. The same opinion has been expressed by Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s daughter Y.S. Sharmila, he pointed out.

Regarding the ongoing agitation against the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the Rajya Sabha member said the centre is making all efforts to protect jobs and improve the quality of life of steel plant employees.