RTC Strike: BJP Blames Congress' Freebie Politics

Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao today slammed the Congress government over the ongoing TSRTC crisis, alleging that freebie politics had crippled public transport and pushed lakhs of commuters into hardship.

In a statement, the BJP leader said that with nearly 15,000 buses off the roads, the daily lives of lakhs of citizens had been severely disrupted.

He said that the government's failure to clear dues and address workers' demands had forced the strike. The worst affected however was the common man whose livelihood depended on the the smooth functioning of the RTC services, he lamented.

He however said that the BJP extended full support to RTC employees, calling their agitation just and long overdue.

Rao targeted Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar for "inaction" and accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of reneging on the RTC merger promise and implementation of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC).

"This crisis is a direct consequence of the Congress government's misplaced priorities. Instead of ensuring sound financial management, the government has indulged in reckless freebie politics, leaving the State transport corporation financially crippled. As a result, it has failed to address the legitimate demands of the RTC employees and clear their pending dues, ultimately forcing them into a strike," he said.

He also questioned the Chief Minister for going back on his election promises. During the 2023 elections the Congress had promised that the RTC would be merged with the government and that workers would be treated with dignity and security. None of those promises had however been fulfilled, he said.

Commitments such as the constitution of a PRC and implementation of its benefits, filling of vacancies, fleet expansion and financial strengthening of RTC also remain unaddressed, he added.

"The Congress government's approach has been to weaken institutions rather than strengthen them. By failing to release hundreds of crores in dues related to the free bus scheme, the government is pushing the RTC towards financial distress. Ignoring rental bus drivers and outsourcing staff further highlights the government's apathy. Instead of resolving the workers' issues, the government appears more focused on breaking the strike through committees and procedural delays," he said.

He warned the government of intensified protests if it failed to release Rs 400 crore in monthly dues under the free bus scheme and initiate immediate talks with the unions. If the government continued its indifferent and arrogant approach, the BJP would escalate its agitation in support of the RTC workers, and any attempt to intimidate the workers would not be tolerated, he said.