Visakha Steel: From Martyrs’ Sacrifice to Coalition’s Sale
The story of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is one written with blood and sacrifice. Thirty-two
brave sons of Andhra laid down their lives so that Andhra Pradesh could have
its own steel plant—a symbol of pride, dignity, and self-reliance. Today, that
sacrifice stands mocked. The Chandrababu Naidu–Pawan Kalyan coalition has
allowed the Centre to privatize not one or two, but 32 divisions of the plant. The number of departments being sold out
eerily mirrors the number of martyrs who gave their lives. What was once built
on sacrifice is now being dismantled by betrayal.
Coalition’s Silence, People’s Betrayal
The NDA government at the Centre is dependent on the support of Andhra’s coalition
leaders, yet both Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan have chosen silence.
Despite having a decisive mandate, they have surrendered Andhra’s rights in
Delhi. Their inaction has dealt a direct blow to nearly 20,000 employees and
lakhs of families whose livelihoods depend on the plant. The coalition that
promised protection during elections is now complicit in allowing Delhi to
choke the lifeline of Andhra.
YS Jagan’s Fierce Defence vs. Coalition’s Surrender
When YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was in power, he stood like a wall against privatization. For
five years, despite the Centre’s repeated attempts, he did not allow even a
single step towards privatization. He wrote to the Prime Minister, offered
financial restructuring solutions, demanded captive mines, and even passed a historic Assembly Resolution opposing
privatization. His leadership gave employees hope. But within just one year of
the coalition’s rule, the Centre has fast-tracked privatization—shutting down
furnaces, cutting jobs, and selling 32 divisions.
Deceptive ₹11,400 Crore Package: A Poisoned Gift
The NDA government’s so-called package of ₹11,400 crore was nothing more than a trap.
Of this, ₹8,500 crore has been released, not to revive the plant but to pay off
bank loans, GST dues, and VRS settlements. Nearly ₹500 crore was spent just to
push workers into early retirement. Instead of breathing new life into Visakha
Steel, the package was used to weaken it further, making privatization easier.
Workers’ Struggle, Families’ Tears
For 15 months, employees have fought against privatization—holding protests, rallies,
hunger strikes, and sit-ins. Their demands are simple: keep Visakha Steel in
public hands. Yet, their voices are ignored. The figures tell the pain:
● Out of 18,000 permanent employees, 8,000 retired, 1,140 took VRS, and another 1,000 have applied. Only 10,000 remain.
● 14,000 contract workers serve the plant, but already 2,000 have been laid off, with another 2,000 facing
termination
● No recruitment has happened since 2019.
● Families who sacrificed land 40 years ago for the plant still wait for jobs.
●Employees are paid only 75% of
salaries, denied allowances, and forced to pay 16 times higher electricity
charges in the township.
Jagan’s Warnings Now Reality
From Gajuwaka to Visakhapatnam, Jagan had warned the people: if the coalition of
Chandrababu, Pawan, and Modi comes to power, Visakha Steel will be sold. His
words, once dismissed as political rhetoric, are now being proven in real time.
The betrayal is visible. Instead of securing iron ore mines and converting
loans into equity as Jagan suggested, the coalition has done nothing but stand
by as Delhi dismantles Andhra’s pride.
What Was Gained by Sacrifice Is Being Lost by Silence
The steel plant was not a gift from Delhi. It was won after 32 martyrs sacrificed their
lives. Today, those 32 lives are dishonored with the privatization of 32
divisions. What Andhra achieved through blood and sacrifice is being sold off
by leaders’ silence and compromise.
Coalition’s Mandate Misused
The people gave a mandate expecting Chandrababu and Pawan to fight for Andhra’s rights.
Instead, that mandate has been misused as a license to surrender. Local MPs and
MLAs of the ruling parties watch silently as furnaces are shut down and
production is reduced. Their silence is not helplessness—it is complicity.
The Fight Ahead
Workers’ unions and people of Andhra demand:
Immediate withdrawal of privatization decisions.
Cancellation of tenders for 32 departments.
Implementation of Jagan’s proposal: reduce interest on loans, convert loans into equity, allocate captive mines, and consider merging the plant with SAIL.
Guarantee of jobs to displaced families who sacrificed land.
Visakha Steel Must Not Fall
This is no longer about a factory. It is about the pride of Andhra, the sweat of its workers, and
the blood of its martyrs. If the steel plant falls, it will not just be an
economic loss—it will be the betrayal of Andhra’s history. YSRCP has vowed to
continue the fight, refusing to compromise on keeping Visakha Steel in the
public sector.
32 martyrs gave their lives for a plant. Today, the coalition has
given away 32 divisions for privatization. Andhra must decide—will we remain
silent, or will we rise to protect the legacy of sacrifice?
