U.S. Steel (X) late Tuesday criticized a plan unveiled by activist investor Ancora Catalyst Institutional as "inconsistent" and "unrealistic," urging shareholders to vote against its board nominees at an upcoming annual meeting.

"After consistently opposing the deal with Nippon Steel, Ancora and its nominees in desperation have suddenly changed their tune and now claim to hope the transaction worth $55 per share in cash is completed," the steelmaker said. "Ancora's flip-flopping on the Nippon Steel deal should make U. S. Steel stockholders even more skeptical of Ancora's true motives."

The company called Ancora's proxy contest "baseless, self-serving, and value-destructive."

Ancora did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.