Where is Ganta Srinivasa Rao? The MLA, who offered his resignation on the issue of Vizag Steel Plant privatization, is not seen in any of the anti-privatisation rallies in Vizag. He has not attended any of the protests and has not even made a statement on the issue. He has made no moves to fight the privatization, which is now looking almost certain.
With the privatization moves picking pace, the VSP employees unions have been organizing protests in Vizag. Rallies are being taken out on a daily basis. Also, the employees unions have organized protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. MPs from both the TDP as well as the YSRCP made a beeline to the protest site and expressed their solidarity with the striking unions. In both cases, Ganta was conspicuous by his absence. He kept away from both the protests.
Even when the employees met various central ministers to plead for their case, Ganta did not accompany them. Not just that, he is not attending any public programmes in Vizag. In fact, when he submitted his resignation in the speaker format, Ganta had called for the formation of a Joint Action Committee to fight for the cause. He also offered to work for the protection of the VSP assets. But, he is now completely silent.
Sources say Ganta expected that his resignation would make both the YSRCP to invite him into the party. He hoped that even the TDP would make every effort possible to keep him in the party. Thus, his demand would go up. But, the reverse happened. While the TDP showed no interest to keep him in the party, the YSRCP was not so enthusiastic in inviting him into the party. With his plan backfiring, Ganta has gone into a silent mode, according to sources. This is the reason why he has gone dormant, sources say. This is why he is not responding to the agitations of the employees, they add.