TGSRTC union poll results leave Congress shaken, dazed

Hyderabad: The results of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees’ union elections have reportedly left Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud unhappy, with the Congress-backed alliance suffering a setback in the October 9 polls. The Congress had reportedly treated the TGSRTC union elections as a matter of prestige and expected a strong performance from its backed alliance comprising the Telangana Workers’ Union (TWU), Staff and Workers Federation (SWF) and Staff and Workers Union (SWU). However, the CPI-affiliated Employees’ Union (EU), along with its allies Telangana Mazdoor Union (TMU) and National Mazdoor Union (NMU), secured significant support from RTC employees, delivering a setback to the Congress-backed alliance and prompting the ruling party to review the election outcome. According to party sources, the Chief Minister and the TPCC chief have got the reports on the election trends and the reasons behind the alliance’s performance. The leadership is reportedly examining organisational weaknesses, inadequate campaigning in several districts and allegations that some Congress leaders supported rival unions. Reports suggest that ministers, MLAs and party in-charges failed to actively participate in the campaign in several districts. Except in a couple of districts, elected representatives and local Congress leaders were allegedly less involved in the election process than expected, it is learnt.

The alliance’s performance in Greater Hyderabad has caused particular concern, as it reportedly won only three of the 26 units. The outcome has prompted the party leadership to examine its coordination with affiliated unions and its engagement with RTC employees. According to the consolidated polling figures released for the elections held on October 9, the CPI-affiliated EU secured 18,250 votes at the state level (in Class III) and 13,677 votes at the regional level (in Class VI). The TWU polled 13,670 votes at state level (in Class III), while the SWF, allied with the TWU, secured 13,907 votes at regional level (in Class VI). The reported difference of 4,580 votes in favour of the EU over the TWU has emerged as a significant talking point following the elections.

The official results of the TGSRTC union elections will be announced on October 17, following the postal ballot process scheduled for October 14 and 15. However, the postal votes are unlikely to significantly alter the outcome, as the Employees’ Union (EU) has reportedly secured a majority of 4,580 votes, while the total number of postal ballots is estimated to be nearly 900 only.

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Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty