YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLC Botcha Satyanarayana on Tuesday alleged a ‘conspiracy’ in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) blast that killed eight people and left six persons injured on June 8. He claimed attempts to weaken and privatise the public sector undertaking, had lead to unsafe conditions working conditions.Mr. Satyanarayana visited the injured workers undergoing treatment at King George Hospital (KGH) along with YSRCP regional coordinator Kurasala Kannababu and former Minister Gudivada Amarnath, Vizag district party president K.K. Raju and other party leaders.Mr. Satyanarayan claimed that the transfer of experienced officials from the steel plant had resulted in a shortage of skilled personnel, adversely affecting safety and operational standards. He also alleged that poor maintenance of machinery and infrastructure contributed to the accident.Mr Kannababu demanded that the government provide ₹1 crore ex-gratia to the families of each deceased worker and ensure permanent employment for one eligible member from each affected family. Drawing a comparison with the compensation package announced during the LG Polymers gas leak tragedy and other industrial accidents under the previous YSRCP government, he said the State should immediately extend similar support to the families affected by the VSP accident.Mr Kannababu also alleged “Instead of responding patiently to the concerns raised by worker’s unions, the Minister chose to engaged in a confrontational approach.” Published - June 09, 2026 08:40 pm IST