Opposition Dubs RTC Driver Suicide As State Murder

Leaders of the various opposition parties in Telangana reacted strongly today to the death of TSRTC driver Devireddy Srinivas Reddy who had attempted suicide by setting himself ablaze in Khammam on Saturday and passed away today.

Telangana TDP leaders L Ramana and Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy attributed Reddy's suicide to the "inefficiency and adamant attitude" of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

They accused the TRS government of failing to address the TSRTC strike that had gone from bad to worse.

"Instead of resolving the RTC strike, KCR is complicating it," the TDP leaders charged.

They said that the TRS government should plunge into immediate action now, and call an urgent meeting with the RTC unions and address their demands to prevent more RTC workers from taking extreme steps.

They also asked the government to shoulder the responsibility for the driver's death and help his family.

Bhongir MP and Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy described the suicide of Srinivas Reddy as a State murder.

Venkat Reddy exhorted the striking RTC employees not to worry about their futures and said that their jobs were safe. He assured them that the Congress would stand by them, and urged them not to lose courage and commit suicides. He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members of the victim.

Sangareddy Turpu MLA and Congress leader Jayaprakash Reddy alias Jagga Reddy also made similar statements. He too lamented the death of Srinivas Reddy, and conveyed his condolences on behalf of the Congress to the family members of the victim. He said that the Congress would stand by Srinivas Reddy's family.