Committee Slams Parties for Shifting Stance on VSP

The Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee accused political parties of adopting double standards regarding the RINL–Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) issue. The Committee alleged that party heads offer one set of promises before elections and adopt an entirely different stance after gaining power.

Speaking on Sunday at the protest camp (Porata Deeksha) outside the GVMC main office in Dwarakanagar, Committee leaders stated that those who once vowed to safeguard the steel plant now ally themselves with the BJP-led Central government, allegedly working to weaken the unit. They further claimed that the BJP changed its stand post-election and is now misleading the public with misleading statements.

Porata Committee chairperson D. Adinarayana, along with senior leaders Mantri Rajasekhar, J. Ayodhya Ramu, and R.S.V. Kumar, appealed to representatives and activists of all parties to unite with the single agenda: protecting the VSP from corporate takeover. They reiterated that the merger of RINL-VSP with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is the most practical option to revive the plant. The leaders also demanded the allocation of captive mines both to reduce production costs and to ensure affordable steel for public projects and citizens.

Journalist Tulsi Chandu, who visited the camp, emphasized that her role is not to support any political faction, but to present factual information about the condition of the steel plant to both the government and the people. She stressed that the state’s development depends largely on employment opportunities for youth, and industries like VSP serve as vital sources of livelihood.

Recalling the 32 lives sacrificed for the plant’s establishment, she expressed concern that both the State and Central governments appear to have forgotten this martyrdom. She urged all political leaders to act collectively and exert pressure on the governments to ensure the protection and revival of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.