In the elections held for recognised union of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the INTUC-led front has won by 1,037 votes. In the elections held under the supervision of Central Labour Department, the results of which were declared during early hours of Sunday, Visakha Steel Employees’ Congress led by Mantri Rajasekhar defeated Left-led Progressive Front (PF) by a convincing margin after a gap of six years.
Anti-incumbency factor and the preference for change weighed in favour of the INTUC-led front in wresting power from the PF. Incidentally, this is the fifth time that INTUC-led VSEC will enjoy recognised union status for a term of two years. “We are very happy with the outcome and as per promise made to the voters, we will oppose tooth nail the proposal to disinvest government equity in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the corporate entity of VSP,” VSEC general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar told The Hindu.
The honorary president of outgoing union and CPI (M) leader Ch. Narsinga Rao conceded defeat and declared that they would play the role of constructive opposition. He said they would analyse the reasons for their defeat and take corrective measures.
YSRCP-affiliated union, which jumped into the fray for the first time, polled 907 votes followed by BMS 91 votes. The last minute decision to retire from fray and support INTUC panel by TNTUC at the behest of HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Anakapalle MP Muttamsetty Srinivasa Rao also helped VSEC in posting an impressive win.
Earlier, breakaway INTUC union led by Padi Trinadha Rao also retired from contest and threw its weight behind INTUC panel. The TNTUC and other supporters of INTUC panel have formed Ukku Parirakshana Samiti with Anakapalle MP as the chief patron to fight against privatisation of the VSP.
The VSEC union has following office-bearers: President G. Venkat Rao, general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar, deputy general secretary Neerukonda Ramachandra Rao, working president D. Sampoornam.
