Parties woo union staff

Hyderabad, April 14: Political parties are trying hard to get the support of 30 lakh voters employed in government departments and organised sectors such as the APSRTC and railways.

The Congress is trying to woo APSRTC staff by highlighting the reduction of petroleum prices.

According to Congress leaders, the cut in fuel prices had helped the APSRTC to register profits in the last six months. This, in turn, was beneficial to employees who are relieved of the fear of losing their jobs.

The APSRTC managing director, Mr V.Dinesh Reddy, had also successfully convinced the government to regularise casual workers. “As there is no unrest among the workers, majority of them are likely to support the Congress,” said a source in the APSRTC.

The Telugu Desam is depending on votes from the trade unions in the transport sector as most of them are controlled by its partners like the CPI and CPI(M).

Industrial workers will decide the fate of candidates in industrial belts like Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. “Several industries are being closed down due to recession and we are assuring that we will revive them,” said Mr T. Bhimsen, Malkajgiri LS candidate of the Telugu Desam.