Controversies surround the TDP leaders especially the ones who own travel services. Even before J C Prabhakar’s controversial comments got elapsed, TDP MP Kesineni Nani got in a war of words with transport officials.
As the incident unfolds, TNTUC leaders went to the with a representation to the DTC office to meet the Transport Commissioner alleging the unlawful activities of the private travel operators. The leaders claimed that the officials were unwilling to hear their complaints which led to MP Kesineni Nani along with MLA Bonda Umamaheswar Rao and MLC Budda Venkanna storming into the office. They behaved rudely with the security personnel of the Transport Commissioner N Balasubramanyam and stalled him for nearly two hours.
Kesineni alleged that the road accidents in state are because of the corrupt practices of the transport officials. He said that there are around 400 buses operating in the state with unlawful permit. He did not stop there and questioned the collector that for the wrongdoings of the transport officials mistake, why should the TDP leaders have to bear the brunt of the opposition leader Jagan.
He further alleged that, “Around 400 buses are unlawfully being operated in Vijayawada of which 150 buses belong to Orange Travels. The owner of Orange travels, Sunil Reddy who is a benami of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. He is influencing transport department officials by offering bribes”
Kesineni questioned a tongue-tied Subramanyam “Why are transport officials not acting seriously against private buses which are operating without permits? Why are buses which were registered in Nagaland and Assam moving freely in Andhra Pradesh?”
As the situation got intense, the MLC and MLA attempted to bring the situation under control. The TDP leaders demanded an apology the Transport Commissioner who denied the accusations and declined to apologise. Subramanyam said, “With due respects to the Chief Minister I am keeping silent. This is not the way a public representative should behave with a public servant and an IPS officer.”
This was followed by a warning from the Transport Department employees to go on strike from Monday demanding unconditional apology to the commissioner. After the intervention by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the MP Kesineni and MLA Bonda apologised to the Commissioner.
The Chief Minister warned the leaders of ruling party and said that they should be more watchful and not give scope for any controversy.
