Cong., Left reject CM charge on RTC strike

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 10. Leaders of the Congress and the Left parties have criticised the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, for blaming them for obstructing an early settlement of the RTC workers' strike. On the other hand, it was the Chief Minister ``who stood on prestige and prolonged the strike for 24 days, causing a loss of Rs 7 crores daily to the RTC and loss of wages to the workers,'' said Dr Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, Leader of Opposition.

In a statement, Dr Reddy said that the Chief Minister was ``more interested in private operators, the only section that benefited from the strike. It is only because of the pressure by the Congress and Left parties, and only after they gave a Statewide bandh call, the Chief Minister got a step down.''

Mr S. Sudhakar Reddy, Secretary, CPI state council, said that due to RTC strike, ``the people realised how the State Government is burdening and harming the RTC by its policies. The main responsibility for prolonging the strike rests on the Chief Minister. The loss to the RTC is due to his own making,'' he added.

Left parties' plea: Leaders of Left parties met the Home Minister, Mr T. Devender Goud, today and urged him to withdraw all cases foisted on RTC workers and activists of political parties during the strike. They included Mr S. Sudhakar Reddy (CPI), Mr Mohd Gafoor (CPIM), Mr Sambasiva Rao CPI (ML-ND), Mr Murahari (SUCI) and Mr Omkar (MCPI), according to a statement.

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Section  : Southern States
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