Hyderabad, May 26: The controversy surrounding the dismissal of a bus driver by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) escalated after he criticized ruling Congress leaders. In response, State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar indicated on Tuesday that he advised management to reconsider their decision and retain the driver.
The minister emphasized that despite the central government’s negligence in grain procurement, the state government is taking all necessary measures to ensure a smooth process. He urged opposition parties not to politicize the issue.
Prabhakar clarified that the driver, Ashok, is not a TSRTC employee but was hired by the corporation. Nonetheless, the minister recommended that the bus management should not terminate him. Ashok had raised concerns on behalf of farmers, which the minister welcomed.
Earlier, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders Gangula Kamalakar and Jeevan Reddy met with the regional manager of Karimnagar RTC, demanding Ashok’s immediate reinstatement. The regional manager informed them that he had no information regarding the matter. The leaders called for action against the Jagtiyal depot manager who issued the dismissal order.
On Monday, while driving a bus from Jagtiyal to Dharmapuri, Ashok criticized Congress leaders protesting against rising petrol and diesel prices. Reports suggest he advised the protesters to focus on purchasing crops from farmers instead. State Minister Adiluri Lakshman and Congress MLA also participated in the demonstration.
Following this, the Jagtiyal depot manager wrote to the owner of a private bus service (PHB), instructing them to remove Ashok from service immediately. The letter stated that Congress’s Dharmapuri mandal president, C. Lakshman, had complained about Ashok criticizing the leaders protesting at the Jagtiyal RDO office.
In a conversation with local media, Ashok clarified that he was speaking to a villager participating in the protest. He stated that he advised the individual to prioritize purchasing cotton and maize from farmers rather than discussing fuel prices. He denied criticizing any political party or leader, asserting that his comments were solely about farmers.
Opposition parties condemned the government’s decision to dismiss the driver, labeling it disgraceful, especially as the government had previously promised to procure maize and cotton stuck in warehouses. They demanded Ashok’s immediate reinstatement and stated that such authoritarian governance, which dismisses individuals for raising questions, must end.
BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao condemned the actions taken against the driver.
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