KADAPA/ KURNOOL: Ignoring the advice of doctors, TDP MP Ramesh continued his fast on the 10th day demanding setting up of the integrated steel plant. Dr Raju T and Dr Gayatri examined the health condition of fasting MP. They said that kidney and liver of the fasting MP are getting damaged and advised treatment in the ICU.
They cautioned that if Ramesh continues the fast, he might fall unconscious.
Speaking to the media, the fasting MP reiterated that he would continue his fast till the Centre concedes the demand for setting up of steel plant in Kadapa. He said that the establishment of steel plant in the district is not in the hands of Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh, but in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he is ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of lakhs of families.
Ramesh’s wife Sridevi told media that her husband is firm on continuing his fast despite doctors warning him that his liver and kidneys may get damaged. He is risking his life by observing fast for the past 10 days for the sake of people, she said. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will visit the fasting MP and MLC M Ravindranath Reddy at RIMS on Saturday.
Bandh for steel plant total, peaceful in Kadapa
The bandh observed by the Opposition parties, including Left, Jena Sena and YSRCP, on Friday in protest against the failure of the Centre to set up an integrated steel plant in Kadapa district, was total and peaceful. As people voluntarily observed bandh, all business establishments, offices and educational institutions remained closed while the APSRTC buses stayed off the roads. A huge motorcycle rally led by CPM Politburo member BV Raghavulu and CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna, was taken out. The rally began at Koti Reddy Circle and passed through major thoroughfares of the city. The agitators burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held a mock funeral.
CPM leader Raghavulu alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre failed to fulfil the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act, including special category status (SCS), setting up of steel plant in Kadapa and creation of a new railway zone in Vizag. The Centre is evincing interest in developing Gujarat only at the expense of other States, he slammed.
Former YSRC MP YS Avinash Reddy said that the agitation for steel plant is getting public support and demanded that the Centre announce the establishment of the same here. Various programmes, including demonstrations, rallies and formation of human chains were organised across the district. Bandh was observed peacefully in Rajampet, Pulivendula, Jammalamadugu, Rayachoti, Proddatur, Badvel and other parts of the district.
State failed to provide info on steel plant, says Kanna
Meanwhile, in Kurnool, BJP State president Kanna Lakshminarayana condemned the TDP remarks against the BJP government on the issue of establishment of steel plant in Kadapa. “The Chief Minister is playing a drama. He has not given any information about the need for setting up steel plant in Kadapa district till date to the Centre,” he said.
Addressing the party district general body meeting, Lakshminarayana criticised the CM for making his MP stage the deeksha only to blame the BJP government. “The State government has failed to provide required information on the steel plant in time to the Central government,” he said. The BJP leader stated that the TDP government was neck-deep in corruption.
TTD chief, ex-CBI JD extend solidarity
Former CBI Joint Director VV Lakshminarayana visited the fast camp and extended his support to CM Ramesh. Minister C Adinarayana Reddy, TTD chief P Sudakar Yadav, Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samithi convenor Chalasani Srinivas, and producer Bandla Ganesh met the fasting MP.