Sakala Janula Samme, to end?

With the Centre and state government already sending feelers that most of the demands put forth by striking employees would be redressed, TEJAC leaders have been trying their best to prevail upon the Group of Ministers for an unconditional withdrawal of all criminal cases filed against striking employee leaders and also an assurance to adjust the strike period as leave spread over the next 18 months.

Representatives of the JAC of Telangana employees, teachers, gazetted officers, workers and pensioners have already lodged a complaint with chief secretary Pankaj Dwivedi against foisting of cases by police against striking employees.

Though TEJAC leaders put up a brave front on Sunday claiming that the strike would not be called off till a road map for Telangana state is announced by the government, sources in the political JAC revealed that they were under pressure from a large section of the striking employees to call off the strike as the GoI was seized of the matter. Employee JAC secretary-general V Srinivas Goud maintained that nothing short of a road map to Telangana state was acceptable to them and vouched that the people’s strike would continue as long as their demands were not met.

A large section of the striking employees, barring a handful of employee leaders, have already expressed their willingness to report for work last week. Employees of RTC, Singareni Collieries and teachers called off their strike following successful negotiations with the GoMs and an assurance from Delhi political bosses last week.

In New Delhi, Union health minister and AP Congress affairs in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad once again appealed to the striking employees to resume duties in view of the hardships being faced by people ahead of the big festive season.

“There is a prolonged agitation in Telangana by employees of the state government. It is almost five weeks since it started. As a result, the general public is suffering…facing hardships particularly during the festival days. On behalf of the government and the Congress party, I request employees to start discussions with the chief minister and call off the strike,” he said.

Responding to queries on the possible time needed to resolve the Telangana issue, he said, “We would like to decide as soon as possible. Few more people have to be consulted before anything is finalised or announced.”

Meanwhile, state Congress president Botsa Satyanarayana said an acceptable statement to people from all the three regions could be expected shortly. He called on Azad and briefed him about the improving situation in the state.

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