Workers restive, as AP govt remains inactive

Amid growing concerns over the government’s inaction on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant’s future, steel workers are intensifying their protests. The TDP alliance, which came to power on promises to safeguard the plant from privatisation, has been accused of failing to deliver on its commitments. “We trusted their promises, but now they seem to have forgotten us,” lamented a steel worker. “Our families depend on this plant, and yet, nothing is being done.” This sentiment resonates with many workers who feel abandoned by their elected representatives.
Steel associations have also been critical of the TDP alliance’s leadership, accusing them of doing little more than submitting petitions in Delhi. “Is handing over petitions to ministers enough to save the plant?” questioned a spokesperson for the association. “We need concrete action, not empty gestures.”
Visakhapatnam MP Sribharat’s vague and inconsistent stance on the issue has further fuelled frustration among workers and associations. His recent suggestion that the plant could have been saved if the TDP had contested the elections independently has drawn sharp criticism. “Where was this logic when the TDP and its allies won by a huge margin in the last elections?” asked a union leader. “The focus should be on saving the plant now, not pointing fingers.”
Former minister and YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath echoed these sentiments, questioning the timing and intent behind such statements. “The BJP government, supported by the TDP, left the steel plant’s privatization unresolved. Why are they bringing up new excuses now, instead of fighting for the workers?” Amarnath said. He demanded that the state government take responsibility and act swiftly to protect the steel plant, which is crucial for both the local economy and the workers’ survival.
The steel unions are also skeptical of the TDP-BJP alliance’s ability to make progress on this issue. “If they couldn’t stop privatization when they were in power together, how can we expect them to save the plant now?” questioned another union member. The workers and associations are calling for urgent action, fearing that continued delays will lead to irreversible damage to the plant and the livelihoods of thousands of families.
As the crisis deepens, the Visakhapatnam Steel workers’ fight has become a symbol of the broader struggle for job security in an increasingly uncertain industrial landscape. The call for government accountability is growing louder, and with each passing day, the pressure on leaders to deliver meaningful results intensifies.