The CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said it was condemnable that BJP State president P.V.N Madhav, under the guise of the Saradhya Yatra concluding meeting, was trying to mislead the public with lies and half-truths. In a statement on Sunday (September 14), he said the CPI(M) State Committee strongly condemns his comments against the Left parties, which have consistently exposed the losses caused to the people and workers by the policies of both the Union and State governments, and have mobilised people to resist them.The BJP-led Union government rejected Special Category Status and failed to implement bifurcation assurances, causing severe damage to the State. Now, Mr. Madhav is accusing the Left of spreading negative propaganda only to cover up his own betrayal.Mr. Madhav is bluffing that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant will prosper with a special package. In reality, the Union government, which announced ₹11,440 crores, clawed it back in the name of GST arrears and other taxes, while the rest was diverted to bank loans. Nothing was spent on working capital for the plant or for employees’ salaries.The so-called package did not benefit regular employees or contract workers. In fact, 5,000 contract workers have already been removed, and permanent employees and officers were being sent home under VRS. Recently, citing EOI, the plant is being fragmented and pushed toward privatisation. The Union government has deliberately withheld the allocation of captive mines, which are vital to the steel plant. “Why is it acting vindictively towards Visakhapatnam Steel Plant? Let Mr. Madhav and his superiors answer,” he added.Published - September 14, 2025 10:58 pm IST