As expected, Telugu Desam Party’s Rajya Sabha member C M Ramesh on Saturday broke his 11-day indefinite fast which he had taken up on June 20, demanding establishment of a steel factory at Kadapa.
TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu offered lemon juice to Ramesh, who obliged his request and ended his fast, at the deeksha venue of Kadapa zilla parishad grounds, in the presence of thousands of his followers mobilised from all parts of the district.
Along with Ramesh, Naidu also offered lime juice to MLC B Tech Ravi, though he broke his fast four days ago.
Everything went on as per the script. Naidu scheduled his visit to Kadapa for Saturday and it was expected that Ramesh would continue his fast till then.
Media persons from Hyderabad and also Delhi were brought to Kadapa at huge expense to witness the high drama of Naidu requesting Ramesh to end his fast.
And Naidu did not come out with any concrete assurance on setting up of steel plant on behalf of the state government.
He said the fight would continue till the Centre makes an announcement to that effect.
“The state government has already made it clear that it would provide all facilities, including land, water, iron ore and power. The Mekon should immediately submit the report to the Centre so as to take a decision,” he said.
The chief minister set a deadline of two months for the Centre to start the process for steel plant at Kadapa.
“We will bear 50 per cent of the cost of setting up the steel plant. If it still does not come forward, the state government itself will decide on setting up the plant on its own,” he asserted.
