Squabbles in TRS-led union worry KCR

Adilabad: Squabbles in the TRS-affiliated Telangana Boggugani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) have reached a flashpoint with two groups fighting to gain a hold in its affairs, so much so that they have turned worrisome for the party supremo. They threaten to snowball, shaking up the very foundations of the party in 10 Assembly, 4 LS constituencies in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts.

TBGSK won the elections in June last year and got the recognition as a union. But, internal squabbles split it into two groups – one headed by president Kangarla Mallayya and the other by general secretary Miryala Raji Reddy.

Consequently, there is a divide among TRS legislators and important party leaders. TBGKS honorary president and Chennur MLA Nalla Odelu and Ramagundam MLA Somarapu Satyanarayana are backing Mallayya, whereas Mancherial MLA Gaddam Ravinder Reddy and Dharmapuri MLA Koppula Eswhar are supporting Reddy.

Both union leaders approached the AP High Court, demanding that their group be recognized as the official union. The court ruled that union polls were the only answer the settle the row, and ordered the poll be completed by November, without listing required guidelines.

The court suggested that the leaders’ panel chosen by the general body be recognized as the empowerment committee, with a rider that the Labour department take the responsibility of holding the poll. This has been a problem for the department officials.

Warangal regional labour commissioner convened a meeting on October 28, asking them to submit proposals on holding of poll.

Although both Mallayya and Raji Reddy had agreed on the poll, the crisis persists. It is difficult for the 41,000 TBGSK members to cast their votes at one place. Besides setting up of polling booths at one place may cause confusion and lead to clashes.

Singareni Collieries management is trying to secure an expert legal opinion to find a way-out.