The state BJP chief, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, supported the strike of electricity artisans (EAs), which is set to begin on April 25th. He received a representation from leaders of the EA association and assured them that the party supports their demands. The EAs are only asking for the implementation of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s promise to regularize their services.
Bandi criticized the government’s use of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the EAs and threatening them with removal from service to prevent the strike.
The Telangana Electricity Employees’ Union leaders, Madhu and Ravinder Reddy, approached Karimnagar MP for support. Bandi condemned the preventive arrests and threats made to employees who demand the implementation of KCR’s assurances. He demanded the regularization of all contract employees in power utilities and the implementation of service rules for EAs. The BJP leader assured the union leaders of their support in mounting pressure on the government to meet their demands.