OCC trade union elections reveal factions in Congress ranks in Mancherial

Elections to the recognised trade union of Orient Cement Company Pvt Ltd, recently acquired by Adani Cement, in Devapur of Mancherial district, have brought to light internal factions within the Congress party

Mancherial: Elections to the recognised trade union of Orient Cement Company Pvt Ltd, recently acquired by Adani Cement, in Devapur of Mancherial district, have brought to light internal factions within the Congress party.

The elections, which had been delayed due to the management transition, are now being taken up by the Labour Department following directions from the High Court. As part of the process, trade union leaders were invited for a meeting to decide the election schedule.

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A tussle has emerged within Congress circles over the selection of the candidate. While MLAs G Vinod, G Vivek and Vedma Bojju are supporting former Kasipet Mandal Parishad president Puskur Vikram Rao, Mancherial MLA K Premsagar Rao is backing his brother Satyapal Rao for the post. The divided support has created confusion among party workers and highlighted the lack of unity among the local leadership.

Adding to the contest, former MLC and ex-recognised union president Ramulu Naik has also announced his intention to contest, surprising many within the party. As a result, the Congress-aligned trade union leaders now find themselves split into at least two distinct groups. Party workers believe that this internal rivalry may impact the chances of Congress-backed candidates.

Both factions have intensified their outreach to workers, reportedly hosting grand gatherings and offering inducements. Workers are said to have received expensive gifts, including television sets and crockery, in efforts to secure their votes. Leaders from both camps remain confident of their candidate’s victory.

According to officials, the company has 266 eligible voters. The election date is expected to be announced within the next two weeks, along with the symbols allotted to the unions. A total of five unions are eligible to contest the elections. Workers, who have been awaiting the polls, have expressed satisfaction over the renewed election process.