BJP, Congress leaders back RTC strike

Patancheru: Extension of ESMA to the striking RTC employees is an indication of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's 'dictatorial rule,' alleged BJP official representative M Raghunandan Rao here on Monday, when the employees' agitation entered the third day.

Addressing the RTC employees at BHEL depot, while expressing the party's support to them along with local Congress leader Gali Anil Kumar, he accused KCR of trying to devalue RTC and sell its assets. He alleged that the CM was trying to sell RTC lands to his relatives, while the government failed to solve the problems of the staff.

Rao stated that trade unions and people's organisations were agitating in support of the striking RTC staff and that KCR's rule was on the verge of collapse. Among those present included RTC JAC State secretary Hanmanth Rao, depot JAC convener Ramesh, workers. Heavy police security was provided at the depot. The RTC employees expressed their ire over the State government's attitude and raised slogans against it.