Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao, on Wednesday, extended his party’s total support to what he described as “just and rightful” struggle of RTC workers, and demanded that the government immediately initiate meaningful dialogue with leaders of the RTC Joint Action Committee (JAC) and provide clear assurances on all pending demands.

He called for the immediate start of the RTC merger process, lifting restrictions on trade unions, and conducting recognition union elections. Mr. Rao also demanded the release of ₹400 crore per month towards dues under the free bus scheme, withdrawal of any privatisation plans, and procurement of electric buses by the government for RTC operations.

Addressing the media at the BJP State office, Mr. Rao strongly condemned the Congress government over the ongoing RTC crisis, pointing out that nearly 15,000 buses are off the roads, bringing public transport to a standstill and severely disrupting the daily lives of lakhs of citizens. The worst affected, he said, was the common man whose livelihood depended on RTC services.

The crisis, he alleged, was the direct result of the Congress government’s misplaced priorities. Instead of ensuring sound financial management, the government had indulged in “reckless” freebie politics, leaving the transport corporation financially crippled. Its failure to clear pending dues or respond to the legitimate demands of RTC employees had ultimately forced them to resort to strike action, claimed the BJP chief.

The party president criticised Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakarfor failing to offer any concrete solution, stating that the delay reflected the government’s lack of seriousness and accountability. He also accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of going back on election promises, alleging that instead of resolving workers’ issues, the government appeared more focused on breaking the strike through committees and procedural delays.

‘Self goal'

Meanwhile, in a separate press conference, BJP national in-charge of women policies and research Karuna Gopal charged that the Congress party and the rest of the Opposition had scored a “self-goal” by rejecting the constitutional amendment Bill on delimitation, thereby betraying the interests of the southern states and women.

Ms. Gopal warned that using the 2026 Census as the basis could delay the implementation of women’s reservation until 2034-35 and also lead to a loss of parliamentary seats for the southern states based on revised population data.