VSP privatisation issue nags Purandeswari

AP BJP’s new chief Daggubati Purandeswari is facing a typical problem. Her problem is not the internal groupism in the party or being a minion in the clash of titans. Her problem is different. She is being repeatedly questioned about the fate of the Vizag Steel Plant (VSP) by those opposing its privatisation.

The other day, the steel plant protesters met her when she visited Vijayawada and submitted a memorandum to her opposing the privatisation. These activists demanded that the VSP be merged with the SAIL instead of privatisation. Purandeswari did not have immediate answers to questions on the VSP issue. So, she parried the question.

But, if sources are to be believed, the VSP unions and protesters are going to meet her again on July 27 when she would visit Vizag to attend a zonal party workers meet. They are likely to reiterate their demands. Sources say that the VSP protesters are going to give representations to her wherever she goes.

Another major headache for her lies in the fact that she is planning to contest for the Vizag MP seat. She was an MP from the same constituency and had unsuccessfully contested from Vizag in 2019. She is sure to face uncomfortable questions about the VSP privatisation if she choses to contest from Vizag in 2024.