Nominations filed for Vazir Sultan Tobacco union elections

Hyderabad: The elections for labour union of Vazir Sultan Tobacco (VST) may witness a stiff fight between two major labour groups of former Home Minister Naini Narsimha Reddy and E Peddireddy. On behalf of Naini’s group, V Srinivas Reddy, GHMC standing committee member and Ramnagar corporator, filed his nominations. A huge rally was taken from the company to Labour Commissioner Office, located at Chikkadpally, in support of V Srinivas Reddy.

He submitted his nomination papers to twin cities commissioner Gangadhar on Thursday. Union general secretary P Ashok Reddy, treasurer Prabhakar, members Venkatram Reddy, Ravinder Reddy and others also participated in the rally. Speaking on the occasion, Srinivas Reddy exuded confidence of their group winning, as they had strived for better wage agreement. The historical wage agreement signed by them would enable their victory with a huge majority, he said. He added that he won last two terms and that he would win the third term as well with the blessings of Naini Narsimha Reddy.

On the other hand, E Peddi Reddy also filed his nominations on behalf of the opposite group on Thursday. Labour leaders LD Paul, Gopal, Gangadhar, K Raju, Yadagiri and a large number of VST employees accompanied him to the Chikkadpally Labour Office in a rally taken from Katta Maisamma Temple at VST Road. Addressing his supporters, he said that those who support management are not their opponents, but management itself. He promised to sign wage agreement to provide better retirement benefits. He recalled how his group filed a petition in the Supreme Court to make contract jobs permanent. He asked them to vote for those who work in a selfless manner for the labour welfare.