MP claims overwhelming support to fast
KADAPA: The fast unto death launched by Telugu Desam MP C M Ramesh and MLC BTech Ravi demanding the establishment of steel factory in Kadapa district, entered the second day on Thursday.
Ministers R Venkata Sujay Krishna Rangarao and C Adinarayana Reddy, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav and former chairman of Legislative Council SV Satish Reddy met the fasting MP and MLC and extended their solidarity to them.
Addressing the gathering, the ministers expressed anger over the Centre for its ‘indifferent and adamant attitude’ in establishing steel factory in Kadapa district though it was promised at the time of bifurcation of the State.“Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had offered all facilities and tax exemptions, but the Centre did not respond favourably to establish steel plant in Kadapa by stating that it was not economically viable,” they said.
The ministers said that YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy was striving only to get rid of corruption cases against him by maintaining obedience to the Centre.MP Ramesh claimed that he was receiving overwhelming support from all walks of life for his fast which has encouraged and given him new strength to continue the struggle. “The BJP leaders are scared at the overwhelming support to my fast,” he said. The MP threatened that he would intensify the struggle, if the Centre failed to take a favourable decision soon.
YSRC MLA ends fast
Meanwhile, YSRC MLA Rachamallu Shiva Prasad Reddy ended his two-day fast for the steel plant in Proddatur on Thursday. YSRC leader S Ramakrishna Reddy, MLAs SB Amzad Basha, S Raghurami Reddy and Mayor K Suresh Babu offered him lemon juice at the fast camp.Tthey criticised the TDP for failing to get approval for the establishment of steel factory in Kadapa. “The TDP has not made any efforts for the establishment of steel factory for the past four years, but now suddenly their MP has embarked on fast,” the YSRCP leaders said. Meanwhile, Rayalaseema Communist Party activists besieged the head post office here.
TDP MPs to observe day-long deeksha
Vijayawada: The TDP MPs will observe a day-long deeksha on Friday along with Rajya Sabha MP CM Ramesh, who sat on an indefinite fast demanding that the Centre set up a steel plant in Kadapa district. Initially, the MPs announced to participate in the deeksha along with Ramesh on June 20, the first day of his indefinite fast. However, they postponed it to Friday. Meanwhile, expecting that monsoon session of Parliament may commence from July 16, the TDP MPs decided to organise public meetings and Deekshas in four places including Kadapa.