Narratives constructed by regional parties during elections may be challenged later when the State is in political turmoil. This is how social scientists have described the situation prevailing in Andhra Pradesh with the BJP-led Centre beating a hasty retreat from a dangerous and unpleasant situation arising out of its decision to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
The BJP constructed a narrative at the time of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party that it, if elected to power, would not allow any public sector undertakings to go wrongheaded. It was then thought that the BJP would revive the loss-making undertakings, including the Visakhapatnam steel plant. But, when the BJP-led Union government announced all of a sudden its decision to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the people in Andhra Pradesh were shocked. The people appealed to the political parties in the State – YSRCP, TDP and Jana Sena party of Pawan Kalyan – to launch a movement against the BJP and the Central government. But, when they failed to make their voices heard in Delhi, the people were disappointed.
Telangana State Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s foray into Andhra Pradesh politics and his campaign against the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has captured the imagination of people. KCR’s announcement that the Telangana government would participate in bidding has led to the BJP’s strategy turning on its head, according to social scientists.
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has a long saga of struggle and sacrifices. Several people sacrificed their lives not only in the Andhra region but also in the Telangana region. The people in the Telangana region too rose in revolt against the then Indira Gandhi-led Centre government. Stalwarts such as Tenneti Viswanatham, Goutu Latchanna, Putchalapalli Sundarayya, Chandra Rajeswara Rao, Tarimila Nagi Reddy and Vavilala Gopalakrishnaiah led the movement. A move by a seasoned politician 45 years ago changed the landscape of Andhra Pradesh. He is none other than Marri Channa Reddy. He decided to take a plunge into active politics, after holding a gubernatorial post. He took the decision in Vijayawada, known then as the ‘political capital of Andhra Pradesh.’
Channa Reddy, known for his acerbic wit, flogged the then State government, headed by Jalagam Vengal Rao, for denying accommodation even in the government guest house when Indira Gandhi made a halt in Vijayawada on her way to Deviseema which was devastated by the tidal wave in November 1977.
While discussing politics with his followers, who included Nadendla Bhaskar Rao, then a leading High Court advocate, Channa Reddy at the canal guest house in Vijayawada, expressed confidence that he would become chief minister in the elections to be held a few months later. He proved right. Though he led the separate Telangana agitation and even threatened the settlers from AP in Hyderabad, the people in Andhra Pradesh overwhelmingly voted for him. Will KCR too taste the same success in Andhra Pradesh? This is hotly debated in the State.
