CPI slams Congress backing for TWU in RTC polls

Hyderabad: The CPI has strongly condemned the ruling Congress party for its stance in the upcoming TGSRTC recognised union elections, specifically objecting to its reported backing of the Telangana Workers Union instead of its traditional affiliate, the Staff and Workers Union. CPI State Secretary and MLA Kunamneni Sambasivarao criticised the ruling administration for abruptly sidelining INTUC and extending state support to TWU, describing the move as fundamentally unjust and demanding that the elections be conducted in a free, fair, and democratic manner without transforming the labour exercise into a political battleground.

Addressing a press conference at the CPI state office in Makhdoom Bhavan on Sunday, Sambasivarao alleged that the Congress leadership designated TWU as its official entity solely to defeat the AITUC-affiliated RTC Employees Union, noting that cabinet ministers were actively campaigning against trade union interests.

While maintaining that every registered union possesses the legitimate right to contest, he stressed that overt political interference aimed at defeating a specific organisation was wholly inappropriate. He highlighted the historical role played by AITUC and allied trade unions in securing workers’ rights, asserting that these union elections were the direct outcome of sustained labour struggles and expressing firm confidence that transport workers would support the Employees Union.

Sambasivarao further questioned the Congress leadership over its decision to abandon INTUC, demanding clear explanations while warning against replicating the political interference witnessed during the Singareni union elections.

Meanwhile, Employees Union State President S Babu and General Secretary Eduru Venkanna alleged widespread electoral malpractices, including the controversial allocation of an election symbol previously assigned to another organisation. In response, they announced plans to stage a demonstration before the Labour Commissioner office on Monday to protest against unfair practices.

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The Hans India