YSR Congress Criticizes Minister Nara Lokesh's Insensitive Remarks After Steel Plant Tragedy
The YSR Congress Party has condemned Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh for his insensitive remarks made during a visit to the families of victims from the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant tragedy. Spokesperson Wangeti Narendra accused Lokesh of displaying arrogance and failing to show the necessary compassion during a time of deep sorrow. The party emphasized the importance of respecting trade unions and criticized the ruling Telugu Desam Party for not fulfilling promises regarding the steel plant's future. Narendra also drew comparisons to past government responses to industrial accidents, questioning the current administration's empathy towards affected families.
Jun 9, 2026, 17:35 IST
YSR Congress Party Condemns Minister's Behavior
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has strongly criticized Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh for his recent comments during a visit to the families of victims affected by the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) tragedy. The party claims that his remarks reflect arrogance and insensitivity.
During a press conference in Tadepalli, YSRCP spokesperson Wangeti Narendra accused Lokesh of displaying an inappropriate attitude towards union leaders and grieving families. He stated that Lokesh's behavior exemplified the arrogance of power at a time when the victims' families were grappling with profound sorrow and loss.
According to Narendra, Lokesh should have exhibited patience, humility, and compassion. Instead, his responses to the issues raised by union leaders were deemed insensitive and inappropriate given the tragic circumstances.
The YSRCP leader emphasized the crucial role of trade unions in voicing the concerns of workers and families affected by industrial accidents, insisting that they deserve to be treated with respect. He criticized Lokesh's responses for failing to reflect the seriousness of the situation. Additionally, Narendra targeted the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regarding the steel plant issue, claiming that despite numerous promises made before the elections about the plant's future, the party has not fulfilled any of them since coming to power.
He further alleged that the privatization process of the steel plant is ongoing and that the state government has not succeeded in securing meaningful support from the center for the public sector enterprise. Comparing the current situation to the 2020 LG Polymers gas leak tragedy, Narendra noted that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had promptly visited the site, met with the victims' families, and announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for each affected family within 24 hours. He also questioned the absence of the industry minister during the current crisis, accusing the coalition government of failing to show empathy towards the affected families.