Khammam: With the High Court entering the fray, RTC workers hope that the strike will end by Diwali on October 28. RTC JAC leader G. Madhava Rao in Khammam said, “We are ready for talks if the government comes forward. Our demands are genuine and we are asking KCR to fulfil it.”
RTC staff inquired with their leaders in Hyderabad whether or not the government had made any offer for talks. A driver, Mr N. Appa Rao, said, “We went on strike because we have news of the privatisation of RTC in a phased manner. We want to protect our corporation.”
RTC workers stripped down to their waists and went around begging. They later staged a rasta roko at Mayuri Centre.
CPI deputy secretary K. Sambasiva Rao said the party withdrew its support to the TRS in the Huzurnagar byelection due to the RTC strike.
“KCR’s hegemonic attitude towards the RTC strike forced us to change our stand,” he said.
“The strike will be shaped as Sakala Janula Samme if the government does not respond ed to their demands.”
SFI and AISF students started a ‘Sava RTC Yatra” by placing effigy of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and demanding that he end the strike and open schools.
RTC services were off the road in Bhadrachalam, Manuguru, Kothagudem, Madhira, Sattupali and Yellandu on Wednesday and the workers took out rallies and formed human chains.
