Jagtial RTC Driver faces action after advising Congress leaders to focus on farmers

An RTC bus driver in Jagtial was reportedly removed from duty after suggesting Congress leaders focus on paddy procurement instead of fuel price protests. The incident sparked political controversy, with BRS leaders accusing the Congress of intolerance before officials reportedly restored the driver’s duties

Jagtial: In an incident that has triggered allegations of political intolerance, a driver of a hired RTC bus in Jagtial was reportedly removed from duty after advising Congress leaders to focus on paddy procurement issues instead of protesting against the hike in fuel prices.

The incident came to light on Tuesday after Ashok, who drives a hired RTC bus attached to the Jagtial depot, was allegedly taken off duty over remarks he made during a Congress protest on Monday.

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Congress leaders, including SC and ST Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar and local MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar, had staged a dharna near the Jagtial RDO office against the increase in petrol and diesel prices. As part of the protest, party workers blocked the road, forcing vehicles to halt.

Ashok, who was driving a bus from Jagtial to Dharmapuri, was stranded at the protest site. During the delay, he reportedly remarked that Congress leaders should focus on paddy procurement and helping farmers. His comments were recorded on mobile phones and circulated widely on social media.

Following the circulation of the video, Dharmapuri Congress mandal president C Laxman lodged a complaint with RTC officials. Subsequently, the Jagtial depot manager reportedly instructed the owner of the hired bus to withdraw Ashok from bus services.

When Ashok reported for duty on Tuesday morning, he was allegedly not assigned any work. Responding to the action against him, Ashok maintained that he had not made any objectionable remarks against any political party or leader and had merely suggested that attention should be paid to paddy procurement issues.

Reacting strongly to the development, BRS leader Gangula Kamalakar accused the Congress of misusing authority against individuals expressing their opinions. He demanded that RTC officials immediately revoke the decision and reinstate Ashok. Kamalakar warned that the BRS would stage a dharna at the Jagtial depot manager’s office if the driver was not reinstated by 5 pm.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reportedly intervened and directed RTC officials to withdraw the action taken against the driver and restore his duties.

RTC officials are understood to have subsequently asked Ashok to resume duties after two days.