Ganta bats for preservation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Challenges YSRCP’s performance on steel plant issue over the past five years

Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao stressed the significance of preserving the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant as a key policy, during a beach cleanup drive at Sagar Nagar on Tuesday, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Ganta Srinivasa Rao stated, “I resigned for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Now it’s your turn to explain what you have done,” as he challenged YSRCP’s performance on the steel plant issue over the past five years. “If resignations are ineffective, it’s your ignorance,” he added, noting that 75 resignations had been secured in support of the steel plant cause.
“Governments respond when officials step down,” Rao said, accusing YSRCP of hypocrisy by reminding them of their own resignations. “Why did Jagan resign and call for by-elections? Why did they pledge to resign for special status? Those who speak on resignations need to understand their own history.”
Rao credited the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for blocking privatisation efforts during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. “The steel plant is not just an industry; it represents the pride and heart of the Telugu people,” he remarked. Rao accused YSRCP of exploiting his resignation politically, only accepting it after three years, during the run-up to the MLC elections.
Rao vowed to challenge the timing of his resignation in court, opting against accepting a two-month post. “If they continue with this divisive politics, they risk losing one of the 11 seats they currently hold and may end up with none in the next election,” he warned YSRCP.
Emphasising the importance of cleanliness, Rao said, “On the call of Prime Minister Modi, Swachh Bharat programmes have been implemented nationwide. Visakhapatnam is now ranked fourth in cleanliness, and we are working hard to make it number one.”
He praised the contributions of 200 GVMC employees who assisted in flood relief efforts in Vijayawada, expressing gratitude for their dedication.