Steel plant fast;Kanimozhi supports TDP collegue in RS

: DMK MP Kanimozhi today extended solidarity to her TDP colleague in Rajya Sabha C M Ramesh, on an indefinite fast in Kadapa for seven days now, demanding that the Centre set up a steel plant in the district.

Kanimozhi visited Kadapa this afternoon and extended her partys support to the TDPs fight for the steel plant.

Speaking on the occasion, she lashed out at the Centre for betraying the two Telugu states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by not implementing the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

She demanded that the Centre honour the promise and set up a steel plant in Kadapa district in accordance with the Reorganisation Act.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Revenue) K E Krishna Murthy, Ministers D U Rao and Bhuma Akhila Priya also visited Kadapa and expressed solidarity with Ramesh and MLC M Ravindranatha Reddy, who has also been on fast on the issue.

Meanwhile, doctors from the Rajiv Institute of Medical Sciences, who examined the fasting lawmakers, said Reddy lost 7.5 kg and Ramesh 4.5 kg.

Their blood glucose levels had also dipped and they were very weak, the doctors said.

BJP MLA and former minister P Manikyala Rao termed the indefinite fast a 'drama' and said it was the TDP that was blocking the establishment of steel plant in Kadapa.

The Centre is positively considering the (establishment of) a steel plant in Kadapa and railway zone in Visakhapatnam but the TDP is hindering them, he said in Tirupati.

At a meeting of the TDP coordination committee here this afternoon, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remarked that there would be no compromise till all promises made to AP in the Reorganisation Act were secured.

"Though (MLC) Ravis health is failing, he and Ramesh and fighting determinedly for the steel plant," the Chief Minister told his party colleagues.

He directed his party rank and file to step up the agitation in varied forms in support of the fast and the TDP MPs dharna in New Delhi on June 28.