SCCL workers vote in new union today

The stage is set for Singareni union elections that are being perceived in some quarters as a prelude to the 2019 elections in the state.

All arrangements have been made for the elections that will be held from 7 am to 5 pm on Thursday.

A close fight between the ruling TBGKS and Aituc, supported by the Opposition parties, is expected, though all sides in the fray are claiming to have the upper hand. In this backdrop, both the ruling and Opposition parties have taken this election as a prestige issue.

The Aituc, affiliated to the CPI, is hoping that a victory will bring back its past glory.

Nizamabad MP and TBGKS honorary president K. Kavitha has made all-out efforts to ensure victory for the TBGKS a second time. Her efforts are being helped by the ruling party, which has announced various sops to the Singareni workers during the campaign. The Opposition parties had to be content with trying to expose the failures of the TBGKS and the TRS.

The union elections have also resulted in an hitherto unpredicted scenario — barring the BJP, all other major Opposition parties, the CPI, Congress and TD have joined hands. TRS leaders term this alliance as ‘unholy and opportunistic’.

However, this has not stopped TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram from giving a call to Singareni workers to

Gaddam Aravind Reddy, the then TRS MLA of Mancherial had played a key role in TBGKS victory in the last election. Now he is with the Congress and supporting the Aituc.

defeat the TBGKS and save the SCCL from being privatisation.

Meanwhile, TRS leaders continue to claim that the TBGKS will get a majority like never before.

“The fact that the entire Opposition was forced to join hands displays their lack of confidence,” says TRS leader Peddi Sudharshan Reddy, who was made the party in-charge for Warangal division. “It’s funny how these people are criticising the TBGKS. They couldn’t even stay together for 15 days,” he said.

In Kothagudem, the Opposition parties cried foul after a general managerial-level officer campaigned in favour of the TGBKS in Yellandu area on Wednesday.

Sai Prasad, the SCCL official, told workers that the various issues being faced by the employees will be solved only if the TGBKS wins.

“The government-backed TGBKS is far behind the Aituc in Yellandu and the ruling party leaders have exert pressure on officials to campaign,” said D. Seshaiah, an Aituc leader.

Since the campaigning has ended, Mr Sai Prasad may face some action, sources said.