Confused without any kind of fizz, this is the sum-up of star-turned-politician and founder of Jana Sena Party (JSP) Pawan Kalyan’s speech in Visakhapatnam, where he went in support of the protestors against privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. There was no impact in what he spoke, the young and old people who had gathered in expectation of Pawan Kalyan bringing a new momentum to Vizag Steel anti-privatisation fight were disappointed with JSP chief.
Pawan tried to be non-committal in his “fiercely” speech. Despite knowing very well that the privatisation of Vizag Steel has been initiated by Union government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the JSP leader blamed Andhra Pradesh ruling party YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for the Vizag Steel turmoil.
The JSP leader blamed the ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh for not raising the matter in Parliament. He further urged the government to convene an all-party delegation to take the Visakhapatnam steel plant issue forward.
“My party has no representation in the Lok Sabha. The ruling party has 22 MPs in Parliament but they are silent. There’s no point in blaming the Union government, if the state government is keeping quiet in this matter,” he said. Pawan Kalyan demanded that the state government convene an all-party meet to discuss the matter, failing which he would spell out his strategy for intensifying the agitation.
The problem is that JSP is in alliance with BJP in AP and hence he was not intending to hurt their feelings with his voice on Vizag Steeel. But since the privation is a hot topic in the state and any politician has to come in support of anti-privatisation protests, Pawan Kalyan thought it was an opportunity for him to grab headlines and public attention, but his heart was not against BJP, say political analysts.
Meanwhile YSRCP leaders have criticised Pawan Kalyan and said that he has no moral right to talk about the issue as he is allied with the BJP, which has initiated the process of privatisation at the central level. State minister Seediri Appalaraju said, “It is ridiculous on part of Pawan Kalyan for coming forward in support of the protest against the privatisation of Visakhapatnam steel at the time when the Centre is likely to reconsider the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam steel plant issue.”