Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao may have to face a case for contempt of court by refusing to hold negotiations with the striking employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).
The Telangana High Court on Friday asked the Telangan government and RTC management to commence talks with the agitating employees at 10.30 am on Saturday and conclude the talks within three days. It also directed that the government submit its status report by October 8.
But KCR, who called for a meeting of senior officials of the transport department to discuss the high court directions on Friday nmight, cancelled the same and decided to ignore the court order.
“It was just a suggestion and not an order. So, there is no need to abide by the high court observations,” the chief minister reportedly told the officials and asked them to take all steps to avoid inconvenience to the people.
He reiterated that there was no question of taking back the 48,000 sacked employees and holding talks with the unions.
But the Congress party says KCR’s adamant stand amounted to contempt of court.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy on Saturday said action could be taken against the Chief Minister for contempt of court.
He said that the ministers in KCR cabinet have no freedom of thought and they are not allowed to take any decisions or action.
The Congress leader said that the situation has turned so worse that the High Court had to play the role of government to ask RTC management to hold talks with agitating employees.
“Instead of resolving the problems of RTC employees to end the strike, KCR has been displaying fake ego and utter arrogance. He said KCR was not even willing to talk to RTC unions despite High Court orders. He said this dictatorial attitude would only harm KCR and the countdown for his downfall has already begun,” he said.
