For the first time in the last 10 days, there are signs of some attempts for reconciliation from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government on the ongoing strike by the Telangan State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) employees.
TRS secretary general and Rajya Sabha member K Kesava Rao on Monday came forward to take up the cause of the striking employees with the state government and see that the issues were resolved.
Apparently, the TRS leadership was apprehensive that the suicides of two employees might trigger largescale unrest among all other sections of employees and ultimately shake his seat of power.
So, it appears to have pushed Kesava Rao to negotiate with the striking employees.
Responding to Keshava Rao's appeal, the Joint Action Committee of the RTC employees’ unions said it was ready for talks if KK agreed to do mediation.
JAC convener E Ashwadhama Reddy said the RTC workers had all respect towards Keshava Rao as he worked relentlessly during Telangana agitation.
"It will be good if KK can mediate and if he invites us we will go for talks," said Ashwathama Reddy.
The JAC leader recalled that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had promised to give RTC workers similar status of government employees.
He alleged that a few ministers were provoking the workers.
It is not proper for the government employees to say we have not informed them about strike, Reddy said.