The TSRTC Joint Action Committee reacted strongly to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao describing the stir as ‘blackmail’, announcing removal of striking staff and recruitment of new employees, who would be prohibited from unionising.
The JAC leaders Ashwathama Reddy, K. Raji Reddy and Thomas Reddy on Sunday, the second day of the strike, rejected the CM’s allegations and announced that they would continue the strike come what may.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Raji Reddy from TSRTC Employees’ Union said, “Nowhere in the world have 50,000 employees been removed. But we are not afraid. We will take legal recourse. We will review the situation at the JAC meeting on Monday. Privatisation of RTC is wrong”.
On the other hand, RTC Telangana Mazdoor Union working president Thomas Reddy criticised any move of stage carriage permits to private players or private participation. “We are against private parties looting passengers. This is wrong. Private buses on RTC routes is completely wrong. Our demands are legitimate. We are for public transport as the right of laypersons and poor people. We will be steadfast and will not budge. We are ready to shed our blood. We only asked for salary and filling up of vacancies.”
Meanwhile, JAC leader Mr. Ashwathama Reddy said the TRS did not appear to have learned a lesson from ‘four of its losses’ in the recent general elections.
TSRTC JAC leaders claimed while police assured them of permission to assemble at Indira Park on Monday, this was denied later on Sunday. Trade union leaders said despite this, they would converge at Indira Park and go ahead with the hunger strike. Union leaders said politicians from Congress, TJS, TDP and BJP and other bodies such as BC Welfare Sangham, and MRPS were likely to express solidarity to the strike at Dharna Chowk.