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TRS heading to wrest Huzurnagar from Congress

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TRS heading to wrest Huzurnagar from Congress

The ruling TRS in Telangana appears to be heading to wrest Huzurnagar Assembly seat from the Congress party as its candidate established a huge lead.

S. Saidi Reddy of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was leading by over 18,000 against his nearest rival Padmavathi Reddy of Congress at the end of 10th round of counting on Thursday.

Election Commission officials said there will be a total of 22 rounds of counting. They have arranged 14 tables for the counting process, which is likely to be completed by 1 p.m.

The constituency, with over 2.36 lakh voters, had recorded 84.75 per cent polling in the by-election held on October 21.

A total of 28 candidates were in the fray in the by-poll, necessitated by the resignation of state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy following his election to Lok Sabha from Nalgonda constituency in the recent polls.

The Congress party fielded Uttam Kumar Reddy’s wife Padmavathi Reddy. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also fielded their candidates in the first by-election since TRS retained power in December 2018.

In 2018, Uttam Kumar Reddy had retained Huzurnagar seat by defeating Saidi Reddy of TRS with a margin of 7,466 votes.

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RTC JAC counters KCR on merger demand

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RTC JAC counters KCR on merger demand

The ongoing RTC workers’ agitation is taking new twists and turns each passing day. The employees’ JAC expressed surprise at CM K Chandrasekhar Rao’s statements on their alleged withdrawal of the demand for RTC merger with the government of Telangana. JAC Convenor Aswathama Reddy issued a fresh counter to TRS boss saying that the employees unions have never given up their merger demand. In fact, it is the main demand that came to the fore after the Andhra RTC was merged with the Government of Andhra Pradesh a few weeks ago.

Aswathama Reddy clarified that neither the JAC leaders nor their advocates spoke of withdrawing the merger demand before the High Court. But somehow rumours came out that the employees relented on this. Aswathama Reddy said that the JAC would face any punishment if anybody proved that they surrendered the merger demand. He deplored that the KCR Circar has not yet invited the JAC for talks despite the latest court orders. The government is just dragging the issue by forming useless committees with EDs and other officials.

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Over 80% polling in Telangana’s Huzurnagar assembly bypoll

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Over 80% polling in Telangana’s Huzurnagar assembly bypoll

More than 80 per cent turnout was recorded in the by-election to Huzurnagar Assembly constituency in Telangana on Monday, poll officials said.

The polling ended peacefully at 5 p.m. but those standing in queues at the polling stations were being allowed to cast their votes.

A huge turnout of 82.23 per cent was recorded till 5 p.m. Officials at the office State Chief Electoral Officer said the final polling percentage will be known later.

A turnout of 85.96 per cent was recorded in the constituency in the Assembly elections held in December 2018.

Enthusiasm among voters marked the polling, which began at 7 a.m. at all 302 polling stations in the constituency in Suryapet district. Long queues of men and women voters were seen at majority of the booths.

The constituency recorded 31.34 per cent voters by 11 a.m. It picked up further in the afternoon to reach 69.95 at 3 p.m.

A total of 2,36,842 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-election, the first since the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) retained power in the state in December 2018.

While 28 candidates including three women are in fray, the main contest is between TRS candidate S. Saidi Reddy and opposition Congress party’s N. Padmavati Reddy, wife of state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy.

The by-poll was necessitated by the resignation of Uttam Kumar Reddy from Assembly following his election to Lok Sabha from Nalgonda.

The TRS has never won the seat since it was created in 2009 during the delimitation of constituencies. Uttam Kumar Reddy of Congress won all three elections (2009, 2014 and 2018).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has fielded Kota Rama Rao, is looking to increase its vote share while the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is battling to maintain a toehold in Telangana politics, has fielded Chava Kiranmayi.

Saidi Reddy, who had lost to Uttam Kumar Reddy 7,466 votes in 2018, cast his vote at Gundlapalli village.

Police confined Uttam Kumar Reddy to his house in Huzurnagar, following a complaint by to the election authorities by the TRS. The ruling party said since the state Congress chief is a non-local, he should leave the constituency. Uttam Kumar Reddy, however, argued that he is a local as he has his house in the town.

Tension prevailed at Uttam Kumar Reddy’s house Sunday night when officials reached there. However, District Collector and returning officer Amoy Kumar later clarified that the Congress leader can remain in the constituency as Huzurnagar is one of the Assembly segments in his Nalgonda constituency but he will not be allowed to come out of his house.

Authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the by-poll. The Election Commission deployed nearly 1,500 security personnel and deployed 965 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

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Huzurnagar by-poll: TRS, Congress locked in neck-and-neck fight

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Huzurnagar by-poll: TRS, Congress locked in neck-and-neck fight

It’s likely to be neck-and-neck fight in Monday’s bye-election to Huzurnagar Assembly constituency, with ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) keen to wrest it from Congress while the opposition party is determined to continue its winning streak.

TRS and Congress candidates are locked in a direct fight though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidates are also hoping to pull it off.

First bypolls since Lok Sabha polls, it is expected to be an acid test for the ruling party as it is being held amid the ongoing indefinite strike by employees of state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), which has brought the opposition parties and other anti-TRS forces together.

Little over 2.36 lakh voters, nearly half of them women, will decide the political fortunes of 28 candidates including 15 Independents.

Authorities have set up 302 polling centres in the constituency located in Suryapet district, once considered a Congress stronghold.

Huzurnagar came into existence as a result of delimitation of constituencies in 2009. Congress party’s N. Uttam Kumar Reddy won the seat in successive elections in 2009, 2014 and 2018.

Following his election to Lok Sabha from Nalgonda constituency, Uttam Kumar Reddy resigned from Assembly, necessitating the by-election for Huzurnagar. Congress has fielded his wife Padmavati Reddy in the by-election.

As Uttam Kumar Reddy is also the president of Congress party’s state unit, the bypoll is a prestige battle for him. Leading the party campaign, he sought votes on the basis of development works undertaken by him in the constituency during last decade.

TRS, on the other hand, is determined to wrest the seat from Congress. It has once again fielded Saidi Reddy, who lost to Uttam Kumar Reddy in December 2018 elections by a margin of 7,466 votes.

The Congress party then had alliance with TDP, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS). This time it is going alone, enjoying the support of only TJS.

TDP, which had stayed away from Lok Sabha polls in Telangana, choose to field its candidate in the bye-election to send a message that it is alive in the state.

Huzurnagar is one of the segments of Nalgonda Lok Sabha seat and in the Lok Sabha elections held in April, Congress had increased its majority to 12,993 votes.

The low-key campaign saw the ruling party urging people to vote for the development and the welfare schemes implemented in the state during last six years.

After retaining power in December 2018 with a landslide victory, TRS suffered setback in Lok Sabha polls with BJP winning four and Congress three seats to deny it a clean sweep.

However, the ruling party staged a comeback to score massive victory in rural local body polls in June. It is confident of continuing the victory march.

The TRS had to face some anxious moments in the campaign due to the strike by TSRTC employees, which entered its 16th day on Sunday. The strike brought together all opposition parties and those groups who have been opposing Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. The state-wide shutdown called by the striking employees on Saturday was support by all anti-TRS forces.

The ongoing strike’s tough handling by the government also had its impact on TRS as Communist Party of India (CPI) withdrew its support to the ruling party.

CPI, which fought Assembly elections in alliance with Congress, surprised all by declaring support to TRS earlier this month. However, the party reversed its decision within 15 days to protest the government’s move to sack 48,000 striking employees of TSRTC.

TRS campaign also suffered set back as the Chief Minister and TRS president’s only election rally was cancelled due to rains. His son K.T. Rama Rao, who is a cabinet minister and working president of the party, conducted road show. Another minister Jagdish Reddy, who comes from the same district, ran the party campaign along with other leaders.

TRS leaders see good prospects for their candidate as they believe both BJP and TDP will cut into anti-TRS votes.

Political analysts say the bye-election is crucial for Congress as a victory in Huzurnagar could give it a moral boost against TRS, which not only lured 12 Congress MLAs to its ranks but also got them merged with the ruling party. Leaving with just six seats in 119-member Assembly, Congress lost the status of main opposition party.

A victory in Huzurnagar may help Congress to put pressure on the defectors to quit and seek fresh election.

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RTC JAC thanks Telangana, announces action plan

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RTC JAC thanks Telangana, announces action plan

The RTC Joint Action Committee said that the Telangana bandh wae a huge success thanks to the support from the employees, people’s organisations and opposition parties all over. JAC Convenor Aswathama Reddy said that they would need the same support to take the strike to the next level. He announced the action plan for intensifying the agitation further.

Aswathama Reddy criticised KCR Circar for not opening talks with the JAC as per the orders of the High Court. Now, the agitation will be expanded. A huge public meeting will be held in the Osmania University campus on October 24. The students unions are also going to take part in the protests. It was from the OU campus that KCR intensified the Telangana agitation in united Andhra.

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Telangana RTC employees to go ahead with Oct 19 shutdown

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Telangana RTC employees to go ahead with Oct 19 shutdown

The striking employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) are going ahead with the state-wide shutdown on Saturday even as the Telangana High Court once again suggested to the TSRTC management to hold talks with the employees as early as possible.

With the government sticking to its stand, the strike continued on the 14th day on Friday and no imminent end appeared in sight, despite the case coming up for hearing in the High Court and the intervention by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

More than 48,000 employees, who continued to stay away from work, are gearing up for Saturday’s shutdown. All opposition parties, people’s organizations, trade unions and student bodies have declared support to the shutdown call.

The shutdown is expected to affect the normal life, especially in Hyderabad as Ola and Uber cab drivers have also decided to go an indefinite strike from Saturday to press for their demands to regularise the cab aggregator market.

Since the beginning of strike by the TSRTC employees on October 5, people were relying heavily on cabs for travel.

The High Court, which resumed hearing on Public Interest Litigations (PILs) on the strike on Friday, once again suggested to TSRTC management to immediately begin the talks with the striking employees and inform the court of the measures taken.

The division bench headed by Chief Justice R. S. Chauhan adjourned the hearing to October 28.

It asked the government as to why it failed to appoint the Managing Director of TSRTC. The government cited the financial problems faced by the transport utility.

While the government once again outlined before the bench the steps taken by it to make alternate arrangements to minimize the inconvenience to people, the court noted that the continuing strike is adding to the woes of the commuters.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the striking employees told the court that neither the government nor the TSRTC management invited it for talks.

JAC Convenor Ashwathama Reddy told reporters that the strike was continuing and they would go ahead with the protest plans announced earlier. He reiterated that JAC is ready for talks. Though the government has ruled out the TSRTC’s merger with the government, Reddy said talks would cover all 26 demands.

There was no headway in breaking the impasse despite the intervention by Governor Soundararajan, who on Thursday called Transport Minister P. Ajay Kumar to know the arrangements made to ease the difficulty caused to commuters due to the strike.

Ajay Kumar deputed Transport Principal secretary Sunil Sharma to Raj Bhavan, who explained to her the alternate arrangements made.

The Governor’s move came after a delegation of BJP leaders called on her to complain that the continuing strike and the government’s failure to address the employees’ issues was causing severe inconvenience to people.

The strike already saw two employees committing suicide allegedly due to the tough stand taken by the government. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had already announced that 48,000 employees dismissed themselves by not joining the duties before the expiry of the deadline. He ruled out talks with the striking employees and asked officials to not only recruit temporary employees but also hire more private buses.

TSRTC claims to be operating 75 per cent of buses services. The government remained confident of restoring normal operations by October 21 when the educational institutions will re-open after extended Dasara holidays.

The government, which extended the holidays for schools and colleges by a week, came under flak for adopting an “adamant” attitude on the demands by the employees.

JAC leader Ashwathama Reddy has even warned that the Chief Minister’s attitude could lead to a constitutional crisis.

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RTC JAC Convenor arrested by KCR Circar

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RTC JAC Convenor arrested by KCR Circar

In a shocking development, the KCR Government arrested RTC JAC Convenor Aswathama Reddy from a protest meeting at Sundarayya Bhavan park. JAC Co-convener Raji Reddy, Venkanna, others were also taken into custody. The arrests were seen as a new strategy of the KCR Circar to suppress the agitationists. On his part, Aswathama Reddy gave a call to the RTC employees to continue their strike till the last minute. He expressed shock that CM KCR is adopting a dictatorial stand instead of resolving the workers’ problems.

Aswathama Reddy demanded that the government leave its adamant attitude and begin talks with the employees. He asserted that the RTC employees are determined to continue the stir by facing any hardships. Obviously, KCR is unhappy that the RTC strike is transforming into a bigger platform for all opposition parties to come together.

The RTC JAC is getting support from the other employees unions as well. CITU national vice-president Padmanabhan expressed surprise how a leader like KCR who was born in agitation is now suppressing the strike.

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Telangana Governor direct action on RTC strike

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Telangana Governor direct action on RTC strike

The deepening RTC crisis has now fallen in the Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan’s court. She has already briefed PM Modi about the mismanagement of the strike. Now, after returning to Hyderabad, the Governor began direct action. She telephoned Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and enquired about the problems that are complicating the strike. She directed the state government to take necessary steps to prevent inconvenience to the passengers.

Transport Principal Secretary Sunil Sarma went to Raj Bhavan and met with the Governor. He reported to her on the latest situation of the RTC strike. Tamilisai asked the government whether there is any law that permits a government to self-dismiss employees who are on strike. Will this be allowed legally or constitutionally? She wondered how 48,000 employees can be announced as self-dismissed in one stroke.

The Governor told Sunil Sarma that she has been receiving many complaints on the growing problems caused to the public due to RTC strike. Later, Sarma rushed to Pragathi Bhavan to attend review meeting by CM KCR

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Telangana Governor meets PM, Home Minister

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Telangana Governor meets PM, Home Minister

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

This was her first meeting with Modi after taking over as the Governor on September 7.

According to an official release here, the Governor submitted a report to the Prime Minister on various initiatives taken up in Raj Bhavan like implementation of plastic free campaign, organising of yoga classes and a blood donation camp through Indian Red Cross Society.

Te Prime Minister appreciated several unique initiatives taken by the Raj Bhavan.

In her 40-minute meeting with the Prime Minister, Soundararajan informed him about her participation in several social programmes in the state.

Soundararajan also called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

She handed over a recent publication on Bathukamma festival to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The festival was organized for five days at Raj Bhavan with traditional fervour and gaiety.

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RTC strike will continue, says JAC Convener

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RTC strike will continue, says JAC Convener

The Telangana RTC strike is all set to continue uninterruptedly. There has been no effort from the government or management to begin talks with employees leaders till now. K Kesava Rao has also not opened any dialogue on behalf of KCR Circar. The High Court has also told the government to hold talks and resolve all the issues with employees. Amid these developments, JAC Convener Aswathama Reddy has asserted that their strike will continue as usual.

Aswathama Reddy further passed serious comments on the mindset of the KCR government. He said that the government is playing a sort of mind game with the employees. He clarified that nobody opened talks with them so far on behalf of the government. The JAC is ready to hold talks but there is no effort from the other side towards this objective.

The employees’ leaders are suspecting that KCR Regime is still sticking to its rigid stand. In the past two days, KCR appeared to have softened his hardline because of all round criticism. Senior TRS leader Kesava Rao came to the fore offering to hold talks and resolve the issue. One day is over now but there is no progress in that direction.

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Telangana Governor rushing to Delhi: RTC fallout

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Telangana Governor rushing to Delhi: RTC fallout

The Modi government at the Centre is keeping a close watch on the unsavoury happenings during Telangana RTC strike. The Centre is getting minute-to-minute details of the outcome of KCR’s mass dismissal of over 48,000 employees. In this backdrop, Governor Tamilisai Sounderrajan is rushing to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She is expected to brief them about the latest political situation and mood among employees sections in the state.

KCR gave up his hostile stand but the RTC Joint Action Committee is not ready to soften its stance easily. Anti-TRS feelings are sweeping across the employees unions and opposition parties. This is evident from how CPI has withdrawn its support to TRS candidate in Huzurnagar at the last minute.

Governor’s Delhi visit has generated lot of anticipation in political circles. Sunderrajan has become centre of activity for all those who are organising anti-KCR protests these days. KCR’s mismanagement of RTC strike has become a good opportunity for the BJP high command to explore ways to destabilise the KCR government.

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TSRTC driver attempts self-immolation, tension in Khammam

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TSRTC driver attempts self-immolation, tension in Khammam

The ongoing indefinite strike by the employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) on Saturday took a new turn with a driver attempting self-immolation, triggering violent protest by others in Khammam district.

Tension prevailed in the district following incidents of stone pelting on the TSRTC buses at few places. Unknown protestors stopped buses being operated by temporary drivers, forced the passengers to get down and then attacked the vehicles. No one was injured in these incidents.

The driver identified as Srinivas Reddy poured kerosene and set himself afire on Saturday at Khammam RTC depot as the strike entered eighth day. His son was also injured while trying to save him. The driver’s condition is stated to be critical.

The incident triggered protests by striking employees in Khammam town and other parts of the district. Protestors near Khammam district collector’s office damaged the window panes of a RTC bus and attacked the temporary driver.

As TSRTC is operating buses with temporary staff, three incidents of attacks on temporary drivers occurred in Khammam.

Striking employees and leaders of opposition parties staged protests, blaming Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government for the driver’s attempted self-immolation.

They said Srinivas Reddy was depressed after losing the job. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced that 48,000 striking employees dismissed themselves by not joining the duty before the expiry of the government deadline. He ruled out taking back these employees into TSRTC.

Tension also prevailed at Bus Bhavan, TSRTC headquarters in Hyderabad when BJP president K. Laxman led a protest by striking employees. Laxman sustained minor injury near his eye when police bodily lifted the protestors and arrested them.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC employees unions on Saturday decided to further intensify the strike. It called for state-wide shutdown on October 19.

The chief minister rejected all the demands of the striking employees including the main demand for merger of TSRTC with the government. He also ruled out talks with them.

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KCR’s ego costs Telangana students!

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KCR’s ego costs Telangana students!

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s attempts to satisfy his ‘ego’ on TSRTC strike are costing students in Telangana state dearly. Instead of making attempts to resolve the strike, KCR has been only taking hasty decisions day in and day out to complicate the RTC strike issue further.

In yet another such a decision taken today, KCR has decided to extend the Dasara vacation for schools in Telangana to October 19 citing TSRTC strike. After KCR became CM, Telangana schools are already forced to give 16-day vacation for Dasara. Schools are observing Dasara vacation since September 28.

With the extension by one more week, the total holidays for Dasara have increased to 23, which is almost equal to a month. Schools, students and parents doubt is this a Dasara vacation or summer vacation.

On Saturday, KCR issued orders to officials to ensure 100 per cent RTC buses ply on roads within three days. If KCR is so confident of ensuring 100 per cent buses in three days, why did he extend Dasara vacation for schools by a week.

This shows KCR is only faking on TSRTC strike. It’s common for KCR to make tall claims and fix unrealistic deadlines. Now TSRTC strike deadlines have also fallen under this category.

Telangana students are losing valuable working days to satisfy KCR’s ‘ego’.

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Telangana extends holidays for schools in view of RTC strike

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Telangana extends holidays for schools in view of RTC strike

The government of Telangana on Saturday extended till October 19 Dasara holidays for the educational institutions in view of the ongoing indefinite strike by the employees of state-run Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).

All the government-run and private schools were to open on Monday after 15-day long Dasara and Bathukamma holidays.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao announced on Saturday that the holidays were being extended to avoid any inconvenience to the students due to the strike.

At a review meeting with ministers and top officials, he said the second Saturday should be declared working day for schools and if necessary classes should be run on other holidays to cope up with the syllabus.

The announcement came even as the striking employees decided to intensify the protest and called for state-wide shutdown on October 19.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, directed officials to operate 100 per cent RTC buses in next three days.

He said the government would deal firmly with any attempt to create disturbances at the bus depots and bus stations. He said the government would not bow to threats and asked Director General of Police Mahender Reddy to beef up security at bus stations and bus depots.

He reiterated that the ongoing strike is illegal and the government will not hold talks with those on strike under any circumstances.

He once again made it clear that there is no question of taking back the employees who dismissed themselves by not joining the duties.

KCR directed that those not participating in the strike and attending their duties be paid salary for the month of September.

The Chief Minister wanted officials to recruit employees to operate 50 per cent RTC buses. Another 30 per cent buses will be run on hired basis while stage carriage route permits will be issued to 20 per cent private buses.

He asked officials to utilize the services of retired RTC and police drivers to restore normal operations in RTC.

Slamming the union leaders he said they acted irresponsibly and blamed them for 48,000 employees losing their jobs.

He said there was no question of pardoning those who went on strike during festival and caused losses to RTC.

KCR lashed out at the opposition parties for backing the strike to derive political mileage. He said the opposition would not succeed in their design as they lacked people’s support. Targeting the BJP, he said its leaders in Telangana were raising a hue and cry but their own government at the Centre is privatizing Indian Railways and Airlines and resorting to disinvestment from public sector companies.

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Telangana opposition backs RTC employees, mull shutdown

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Telangana opposition backs RTC employees, mull shutdown

Telangana’s opposition parties have come together to throw their weight behind the ongoing indefinite strike by the employees of state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) and are planning to call a state-wide shutdown.

Slamming Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for his “dictatorial” action of sacking over 48,000 striking employees, the opposition parties on Wednesday discussed the proposal of calling a state-wide shutdown to show solidarity with the protesting employees, whose indefinite strike entered fifth day.

At the all-party meeting called by Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the TSRTC employee unions, the leaders of the opposition parties said a decision on calling ‘Telangana bandh’ will be taken on Thursday.

Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) leader M. Kodandaram demanded that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) immediately initiate the process to merge the TSRTC with the government. He alleged that there is a conspiracy to sell the TSRTC’s assets and called up on all the opposition parties to join hands to foil this attempt.

Kodandaram, who had played a key role in the movement for statehood to Telangana state, said the time had come for another mass strike. “We appeal to all to come together to save the democracy in the state,” he said.

The leaders decided to meet Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and submit a memorandum, seeking her intervention to resolve the TSRTC crisis.

Addressing the meeting, Communist Party of India (CPI) state Secretary Chada Venkat Reddy said his party would not accept privatisation of the RTC. He warned that if the government failed to take back its decision, the CPI would be compelled to reconsider its support to the TRS for the Huzurnagar by-election.

The CPI had last week announced its support to TRS for October 21 by-election to Huzurnagar Assembly seat.

JAC leader Ashwathama Reddy said they decided to intensify the protest to press for their demands. He said the employees would stage ‘dharnas’ at RTC depots and take out rallies on Thursday.

Meanwhile, government employees and teachers took out rallies in various parts of the state to express solidarity with the striking RTC employees.

The Congress, the Telugu Desam Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also extended their support to the strike by RTC employees.

Congress leader Gudur Narayana Reddy advised Chandrashekhar Rao to show some serious concern over the inconvenience being faced by nearly one crore commuters due to the ongoing strike and take measures to resolve the crisis.

He alleged that the Chief Minister first aggravated the RTC crisis by not addressing the problems being faced by employees and now he is trying to take advantage of the strike to initiate privatisation.

“KCR’s family is eyeing the RTC properties worth more than Rs 65,000 crore across the state and wants their possession in the name of corporation’s revival plan. The Chief Minister is neither concerned about the inconvenience being caused to nearly one crore commuters nor bothered about fate of over 48,000 employees whom he declared as ‘self-dismissed’. He is creating a situation wherein his family members and friends can easily take over RTC’s valuable properties under the curtains of strike,” Reddy said in a statement.

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Telangana RTC strike flashpoint: 48K employees face axe

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Telangana RTC strike flashpoint: 48K employees face axe

The indefinite strike by employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) entered its third day on Monday as the KCR government refused to hold talk or even take back 48,000 striking employees issuing orders to recruit new employees and hire more private buses.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao late on Sunday declared that there is no question of taking back the employees into the state-owned transport utility, who did not join the duties before Saturday evening deadline that was set by the government.

“Now only 1,200 employees left in TSRTC,” a statement from Chief Minister’s Office quoted him as saying. This means that government has sacked remaining 48,000 odd employees, though the government has not made any such formal announcement.

Nearly 50,000 employees are on strike since Friday midnight to press for their list of 26 demands including merger of TSRTC with the government.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, not only ruled out merger but also refused to hold any talks with the striking employees.

For a third consecutive day majority of 10,500 buses of TSRTC remained off the roads, causing severe inconvenience to commuters during festival season.

TSRTC bus services carry more than a crore commuters every day.

TSRTC authorities were running partial services by deploying hired buses and temporary drivers.

The Chief Minister has asked officials to recruit employees and hire more private buses.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed at Telangana Martyrs’ Memorial at Gun Park near State Assembly when TSRTC employee unions’ leaders reached there to pay their homage. Police arrested the leaders on the grounds that there is no permission for the programme.

Joint Action Committee (JAC) of employee unions took strong exception to the government’s action.

JAC leader Ashwathama Reddy said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) should know that it is in power due to their sacrifices during the movement for Telangana state. He said they were not scared of arrests and threats by the government.

Meanwhile, the fast planned by striking leaders at Indira Park was called off as the police refused to give permission for the same.

JAC leaders said they would hold a meeting later in the day to chalk out their further course of action.

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Buses remain off roads in Telangana as strike enters 2nd day

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Buses remain off roads in Telangana as strike enters 2nd day

The buses of state-owned Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) remained off the roads across the state for a second consecutive day on Sunday, as employees continued their indefinite strike to press for their demands.

Commuters faced inconvenience in reaching their native places for Bathukamma and Dussehra celebrations as buses remained confined to the depots.

Few buses being run by the authorities with the help of temporary drivers and other employees were unable to meet the demand.

The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) and the Jubliee Bus Station, the two major bus stations in Hyderabad, wore a near-deserted look. The situation was no different in the bus stations in other towns.

Ignoring the government’s ultimatum to return to work by 6 p.m. on Saturday, nearly 50,000 employees continued their strike to press for their demands, the main being the merger of TSRTC with the government..

The government had warned that those failing to report to duty by 6 p.m. on Saturday will be dismissed from service. However, only 160 employees joined the work.

The joint action committee (JAC) of the employee unions has declared that the strike will continue till the government accepts their demands.

TSRTC was operating 2,100 hired buses and some private buses as part of the measures to tackle the strike.

In a novel protest, striking employees, including women, played Bathukamma outside the TSRTC depots. Bathukamma is the folk festival of Telangana during which women dance and sing around specially arranged flowers.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao is holding a meeting with Transport Minister P. Ajay and other senior officials to review the situation created by the ongoing strike.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

KCR very angry but Telangana in agitation mode

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KCR very angry but Telangana in agitation mode

Dasara and Bathukamma festivals holiday travellers are facing severe hardships because of RTC Employees strike in Telangana. The unions took a serious stand despite the threats from the TRS government. CM K Chandrasekhar Rao has expressed great anger and ordered officials to take serious action against the employees who go on strike. But the employees are asking why KCR had encouraged them to join Telangana statehood agitation which was reason for part of the RTC losses at that time.

The MGBS, Jubilee and other Bus Stations were full of stranded passengers who were seen waiting for buses. The RTC Employees are recalling how KCR promised them salaries on a par with the state government employees.

The employees are also pointing out how Andhra Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy had fulfilled his merger promise to APSRTC employees within four of coming to power. KCR is in CM chair for the sixth year since Telangana statehood but still he is not taking care of RTC Employees. Analysts say that KCR’s own separatist agitation slogans are now backfiring on him. The RTC stir has also caused problems to people who are traveling home to celebrate Bathukamma festival.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Kodandaram supports Congress: Bypoll

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Kodandaram supports Congress: Bypoll

The Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) led by Kodandaram has decided to oppose and defeat the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi in the Huzurnagar by-election. Kodandaram expressed his unconditional support to Congress nominee Padmavati Reddy, who is wife of Congress state president Uttamkumar Reddy. Kodandaram is a former partner in the Mahakutami alliance formed during 2018 Telangana assembly election. However, the TDP broke away from Grand Alliance and fielded its own candidate. Whereas, the CPI has announced its support to TRS this time.

The TJS support may be nominal but political observers consider this as a morale booster to the Congress at a time when it is being isolated on the state political scene. Kodandaram has taken this decision despite the fact that his party faced some problems with Congress in the past. He has an immediate priority to oppose KCR’s oppressive, family rule in the state.

Kodandaram fought alongside with KCR in the separate statehood agitation. But after TRS came to power, he distanced from KCR even as their differences grew bigger over the years. Analysts say that the TJS impact will not be big enough to change the winning prospects of anybody. Final result will all depend on how Uttamkumar Reddy counters KCR master strategies.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Why TDP fielded candidate in Huzurnagar by-election?

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Why TDP fielded candidate in Huzurnagar by-election?

TDP National President N Chandrababu Naidu took a very calculated decision by fielding his party nominee in Huzurnagar assembly seat. In doing so, he gave a clear indication to the Modi-Shah duo that the TDP is no longer an ally of the Congress party. This is very important for Naidu as he has to certainly form a strong alliance to defeat CM Jaganmohan Reddy in 2023 Jamili Election. Clearly, Naidu has made the first important step towards removing hurdles for a future alliance of TDP, BJP and Pawan Kalyan in Andhra.

Analysts say that the BJP is interested more in destroying the TRS in Telangana. Now TDP is going to give some advantage to TRS at the cost of Congress nominee Padmavati. The BJP is not worried about this much as it has no strong support base in Huzurnagar right now.

The multi-cornered contest is expected to help TRS in a big way. Interestingly, YCP President Jaganmohan Reddy has not fielded his candidate obviously to help KCR. By fielding its candidate, TDP is indirectly supporting TRS. That is the gimmick that KCR had played to create favourable atmosphere in this by-election. It’s clear that both Andhra parties are helping KCR.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

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