For TDP president and former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been looking for a major issue to sustain his party’s identity, the Central government’s decision to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has come as a big opportunity.
Apparently, Naidu is of the view that there is a lot to gain politically for the TDP if it can stoke the flames of agitation against privatisation of the steel plant. The TDP leaders have already plunged into action by stepping up agitation.
While TDP legislator from Viskahapatnam (north) Ganta Srinivasa Rao tendered his resignation from his assembly membership, TDP Visakhapatnam urban unit president Palla Srinivas Rao launched an indefinite strike, which entered fourth day on Saturday.
The TDP chief is planning to come to Visakhapatnam in a day or two to personally take part in the agitation against steel plant privatisation.
He may sit on a dharna in support of his party leader’s fast unto death and address a rally of the steel plant workers.
Naidu feels that if the TDP can create an unrest in Visakhapatnam in the name of intensifying the agitation for steel plant, it might create a hurdle for YSRC government led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to shift his administrative capital to Visakhapatnam in this turbulent situation.
“Definitely, there will be a law and order problem in Visakhapatnam because of agitation against Vizag Steel privatisation. It might force the Jagan government to postpone the plan to shift the capital to Visakhapatnam,” sources said.
