The Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee (VUPPC) has protested against the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) disinvestment for over three years. Initially planning to boycott elections due to the TDP, JSP, and BJP alliance supporting disinvestment, VUPPC now encourages voting for the India bloc.
Comprising trade union-affiliated steel workers, VUPPC has opposed the Union Government’s privatization of the steel plant since January 2021. Despite state parties’ support during protests, the BJP’s stance on disinvestment has led to distrust among VSP employees.
Although BJP leaders claim the disinvestment plan is halted, employees seek confirmation from higher authorities like Modi or Amit Shah. The VSP spans Gajuwaka and Anakapalle Assembly constituencies within Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency.
In the 2024 elections, TDP’s M Sribharat contests for the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha, and former MLA Palla Srinivas Rao from TDP runs for the Gajuwaka Assembly seat.
