An apology by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani), Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and MLC Budha Venkanna to Transport Commissioner N. Balasubramanyam, who was at the receiving end of their ire on Saturday, brought down the curtains on the ugly episode.
Tension built up in the premises of the Road Transport Authority (RTA) office on Saturday when the three TDP leaders went there and ‘took to task’ the officials accusing them of corruption in allowing illicit operation of private buses causing huge financial losses to the APSRTC.
However, at a press meet in Vijayawada, the MP, MLA and the MLC apologised to the transport officials following a stern message from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to do so.
Mr. Nani said it was unfortunate that unwarranted developments took place while they were agitating for a public cause. “We apologised to the officials without taking it as a prestige issue,” he said.
The MP said the Kesineni Travels was not plying buses illegally and was strictly adhering to the rules, and he was ready to stop plying his buses if Mr. Chandrababu Naidu ordered him to do so. “The party is above all,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took a serious view of their rude behaviour and gave them a dressing down.
Mr. Naidu told them he was not interested in what the trigger was and that the outcome was highly objectionable.
The rude behaviour in public was a blot on the party. “Apologise to the Commissioner immediately,” was the instruction from Mr. Naidu to the TDP leaders.
Double standards: Opposition
The Opposition parties came down on the TDP on the issue. YSR Congress leader Kolusu Parthasarathy alleged that the government was adopting double standards for the ruling and the Opposition leaders.
The government slapped cases against YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for questioning the officials in the Nandigama incident, he recalled.
If the government was sincere, it should take action against the erring TDP leaders.
Congress spokesperson Kolanukonda Shivaji said the TDP leaders were attacking the officials who refused to obey their orders and cited incidents like Tehslidar Vanajakshi and the Transport Commissioner. But they were allowed to go scot-free though, he alleged.
The incident was a bolt from the blue for the transport officials.
The issue began with a verbal deluge from the three leaders on the officials’ inaction over the alleged unauthorised operation of private buses.
Turning the heat on Mr. Balasubramanyam and Deputy Transport Commissioner, Krishna, Meera Prasad, the angry MP asked them why they did not give a proper reply to a Telugu Nadu Trade Union Council (TNTUC) leader who had approached them to bring to their notice the issue of unauthorised operation.
The MP alleged that nearly 400-500 private buses belonging to States like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Puducherry were operating without permit. “At least 150 of them belong to a person who runs a benami business for YSR Congress leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy,” he alleged. Citing a recent road accident involving a private bus which killed one person in Autonagar, he said the vehicle belonged to Arunachal Pradesh and yet was allowed to operate here.
Mr. Umamaheswara Rao asked the Transport Commissioner ‘what stopped him from seizing the buses which were causing losses to the RTC’.
At one point, the angry MLA pushed back the gunman of Mr. Balasubramanyam when he tried to shield him by blocking the former’s way.
JAC condemns attack
The incident evoked strong reaction from employees of the department who condemned it in strong words at a press meet on Sunday.
Transport Employees Joint Action Committee leader Mani Kumar said such behaviour against the Transport Commissioner who was known for his proficiency and hard work was not acceptable.
He said they would file a police case and also go on a strike from Monday in protest against the incident.
But by afternoon, it was curtains with the MP, MLA and the MLC apologising to the Transport Commissioner at his office in the RTC House.
