YS Sharmila protests at Kadapa Collectorate, demands steel plant construction

Kadapa – Andhra Pradesh: AP Congress Chief YS Sharmila staged a symbolic protest at the Kadapa Collector’s office, demanding immediate steps to establish the long-delayed Kadapa Steel Plant. She criticized successive governments for failing to honour promises made to the region, vowing to escalate their agitation if no action is taken.

A long-delayed promise for Kadapa

YS Sharmila highlighted the late CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s vision of a 20-million-ton steel plant in Kadapa. Planned with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore over 10,000 acres, the project aimed to boost the region’s economy and create jobs.

Despite its inclusion in the post-bifurcation promises, the project has seen no progress since YSR’s tenure.

Successive governments criticized for Inaction

After YSR’s passing, Congress she alleged that successive Chief Ministers neglected the project. Sharmila accused the BJP-led central government of failing to honour its bifurcation promise of constructing the plant through SAIL.

In 2019, then-CM Chandrababu Naidu conducted a ceremonial coconut-breaking ritual at the site, proposing a 3-million-ton plant on 4,000 acres. YS Sharmila claimed the proposal remained on paper with no concrete steps taken.

CM Jagan faced criticism for promising in 2019 to complete the plant within three years but failing to deliver. She mocked his repeated “Oscar dialogues” and ceremonial rituals, accusing him of misleading the public.

Calls for accountability

AP PCC Cheief questioned YS Avinash Reddy, a decade-long MP, for his inaction in Parliament on the steel plant issue. She also criticized CM Jagan for failing to address the project in the Assembly, questioning his commitment to the region’s development.

Congress warns escalation

YS Sharmila announced that if the government fails to take immediate steps, they will intensify their agitation, including an indefinite hunger strike. The party vowed to continue fighting until the steel plant becomes a reality, citing its importance to Kadapa’s development and the well-being of its residents.