CPI(M) slams BJP MLC remarks on VSP agitation

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the remarks made by BJP MLC Somu Veerraju against trade unions and Left party leaders who have been agitating against the Centre’s proposal to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

It may be recalled that Mr. Veerraju had on Monday stated that the VSP would not be privatised, while simultaneously making insinuating remarks against the protesting trade unions and Communist leaders.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, CPI(M) Central Committee member K. Lokanatham and others said that Mr. Veerraju’s comments reflect the party’s frustration over its inability to privatise even 1% of the VSP due to the sustained agitation by workers. Mr. Lokanatham urged Mr. Veerraju to prevail upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a clear statement that the privatisation proposal has been shelved. He also questioned why permanent and contract employees are being removed if there is no move towards privatisation.

Mr. Lokanatham further asked why the Centre has not allocated funds for the modernisation of the plant or provided captive mines, while such benefits were extended to the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plant in Anakapalli district.

CPI(M) Visakhapatnam district secretary M. Jaggunaidu demanded that BJP leaders in the State persuade the Prime Minister to either allocate captive mines to the VSP or merge it with the Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL). He asserted that the BJP does not have the moral right to criticise the Left parties, which have been consistently opposing the Centre’s move to privatise the plant.