RTC JAC CHIEF ASHWATHAMA SEEKS HARISH RAO’S SUPPORT

RTC JAC convener arrested during protest rally, says KCR does not care for employees

Refuting allegations made against him by TRS leaders that he had amassed illegal assets, RTC joint action committee convener Ashwathama Reddy said they could hang him in public if they had any proof to back their charge.

Mr Reddy was addressing a gathering at the Sakala Janula Samme Bheri at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram along with leaders of opposition parties and trade unions.

He recalled the statements made by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao that if Telangana state became a reality then there would not be any strikes. The Chief Minister does not care about employees, he said.

He appealed to finance minister T. Harish Rao to break his silence and take the initiative to solve the RTC’s problems. The workers are ready to support him if he resigns and contests again from Siddipet, he said.

He recalled that he was the first man to hold a public meeting with the RTC staff during the statehood agitation, and at that time, the rulers of the combined state had warned him not to fall into the trap of the TRS.

He said Mr Chandrasekhar Rao was arrested only once during the agitation but he was taken into police custody every day. Mr Reddy said that around

4,000 RTC employees have not received their salary for the period for their participation in Sakala Janula Samme during the agitation, which is a shame on the ruling party.

He said RTC employees will raise their voices strongly against the anti employees attitude of the government.

Mentioning the steps taken by AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for the merger of RTC with the government, and also purchasing buses a cost of

`1,000 crore, the RTC union leader advised Mr Rao to learn from his AP counterpart about commitment towards the public good.

He said that the state bandh will create a huge impact on the government. The police arrested Mr Reddy and workers when they took out a bike rally from the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram to Bus Bhavan on Friday.