We have decided to boycott the Chief Minister`s deadline to join back services by November 5 and the strikes will continue, said TSRTC Joint Action Committee President Ashwathama Reddy on Tuesday here.

Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, "We are boycotting Chief Minister K Chandrashekar&nbsp;Rao`s call to join back services before November 5. We are going to protest in front of all RTC depot`s and later on the family members of RTC employees will also participate in the protest.''

"We also request the conductors and drivers who are performing duties with RTC to join us in the protest," he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Deputy General Secretary of the Employees Union, Mohammed Ahmed Ali also said that the RTC workers will not return to service without any agreement with the government."The Chief Minister is speaking as if he is a king and wants employees to join back services unconditionally. All the unions have declared that the workers will not join back services without any agreement," he said.

The Telangana Chief Minister`s Office on Monday issued a statement warning the striking TSRTC staff that if they fail to resume duty by the deadline of November 5, the state government will not take them back.

Employees of the TSRTC have been on strike for the past few weeks now.&nbsp; Earlier this week, they intensified their indefinite protest against the sacking of over 40,000 employees by the state government.

During the ongoing protest, a few TSRTC employees have lost their lives either by committing suicide or depressed by the demonstration. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC has been on a strike since October 5 demanding merger of the corporation with the state government and revision of pays among other demands.&nbsp;

We have decided to boycott the Chief Minister`s deadline to join back services by November 5 and the strikes will continue, said TSRTC Joint Action Committee President Ashwathama Reddy on Tuesday here.

We have decided to boycott the Chief Minister`s deadline to join back services by November 5 and the strikes will continue, said TSRTC Joint Action Committee President Ashwathama Reddy on Tuesday here. Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, "We are boycotting Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao`s call to join back services before November 5. We are going to protest in front of all RTC depot`s and later on the family members of RTC employees will also participate in the protest.'' "We also request the conductors and drivers who are performing duties with RTC to join us in the protest," he added. Echoing similar sentiments, the Deputy General Secretary of the Employees Union, Mohammed Ahmed Ali also said that the RTC workers will not return to service without any agreement with the government."The Chief Minister is speaking as if he is a king and wants employees to join back services unconditionally. All the unions have declared that the workers will not join back services without any agreement," he said. The Telangana Chief Minister`s Office on Monday issued a statement warning the striking TSRTC staff that if they fail to resume duty by the deadline of November 5, the state government will not take them back. Employees of the TSRTC have been on strike for the past few weeks now. Earlier this week, they intensified their indefinite protest against the sacking of over 40,000 employees by the state government. During the ongoing protest, a few TSRTC employees have lost their lives either by committing suicide or depressed by the demonstration. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of TSRTC has been on a strike since October 5 demanding merger of the corporation with the state government and revision of pays among other demands.

TSRTC workers strike will continue, won't follow CM's deadline, says Joint Action Committee president

G Vivekananda, who recently joined BJP, has compared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao with Muhammad bin Tughlaq and accused him of demolishing the state Secretariat.

"BJP is a national party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the path of prosperity. The state of Telangana was formed on the basis of a democratic Telangana for the benefit of its people. The way KCR is performing as the Chief Minister with the sole intention of his family`s progress, there is a family rule in Telangana. There is a dictatorship in Telangana," Vivekananda told ANI in Hyderabad.

"It is opposed by the people. In the last Parliament elections, TRS lost seven seats of MP, because of the dictatorial behaviour of KCR. The Cabinet was not formed for two months. He is demolishing the Secretariat, which is an asset of the state and built for 100 years just because KCR wants to be like Tughlaq (Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351). We are all opposing it," he added.

Vivekananda went on to add that Rao is "diverting all the money to an irrigational project, which was only worth Rs 30,000 crore and in the name of redesigning he increased the amount to Rs 1 lakh crore. There is a need for the BJP and the leaders who have worked for getting Telangana to see that KCR is out of his job... He has distributed the money from the commissions of Kaleshwaram project across the country thinking that he can form a federal front and become the Deputy Prime Minister."

Vivekananda joined the BJP on August 9. He was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Peddapalli constituency.

K Laxman, Telangana BJP unit president, told ANI, "Vivekananda, who hails from a strong political family of Congress, was instrumental in the Congress` performance in the state. He has joined the BJP along with his followers from Karimnagar district."

"It clearly shows that the trend is in favor of the BJP. People have seen all the parties. TRS, in the name of Telangana, came to power but it has now become a family rule -- totally corrupt and dictatorial. People want a change, which can only be delivered by the BJP."

Laxman said, "When people like Vivekananda join BJP, it is a clear indication of Congress losing its hope. People do not vote for the Congress because after winning, they all join TRS ... Telangana wants a democratic rule. The family rule must be put to an end. That can only be done by the BJP."&nbsp;

G Vivekananda, who recently joined BJP, has compared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao with Muhammad bin Tughlaq and accused him of demolishing the state Secretariat.

G Vivekananda, who recently joined BJP, has compared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao with Muhammad bin Tughlaq and accused him of demolishing the state Secretariat. "BJP is a national party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the path of prosperity. The state of Telangana was formed on the basis of a democratic Telangana for the benefit of its people. The way KCR is performing as the Chief Minister with the sole intention of his family`s progress, there is a family rule in Telangana. There is a dictatorship in Telangana," Vivekananda told ANI in Hyderabad. "It is opposed by the people. In the last Parliament elections, TRS lost seven seats of MP, because of the dictatorial behaviour of KCR. The Cabinet was not formed for two months. He is demolishing the Secretariat, which is an asset of the state and built for 100 years just because KCR wants to be like Tughlaq (Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351). We are all opposing it," he added. Vivekananda went on to add that Rao is "diverting all the money to an irrigational project, which was only worth Rs 30,000 crore and in the name of redesigning he increased the amount to Rs 1 lakh crore. There is a need for the BJP and the leaders who have worked for getting Telangana to see that KCR is out of his job... He has distributed the money from the commissions of Kaleshwaram project across the country thinking that he can form a federal front and become the Deputy Prime Minister." Vivekananda joined the BJP on August 9. He was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Peddapalli constituency. K Laxman, Telangana BJP unit president, told ANI, "Vivekananda, who hails from a strong political family of Congress, was instrumental in the Congress` performance in the state. He has joined the BJP along with his followers from Karimnagar district." "It clearly shows that the trend is in favor of the BJP. People have seen all the parties. TRS, in the name of Telangana, came to power but it has now become a family rule -- totally corrupt and dictatorial. People want a change, which can only be delivered by the BJP." Laxman said, "When people like Vivekananda join BJP, it is a clear indication of Congress losing its hope. People do not vote for the Congress because after winning, they all join TRS ... Telangana wants a democratic rule. The family rule must be put to an end. That can only be done by the BJP."

BJP leader accuses KCR of destroying Secretariat, compares him with Tughlaq

DMK chief MK Stalin today said that he "doesn't see a chance" for a Third Front, in a setback for Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao who has been exploring the possibility of a non-BJP, non-Congress arrangement at the centre after the national elections. Mr Stalin, who met Mr Rao - or KCR as he is popularly known - yesterday, described the meeting as a "courtesy call", saying alliances weren't discussed at the meeting.

Stalin pours cold water on KCR plans; says, ''Don't see chance for third front"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Assembly elections.</a>

PM Modi, in a series of tweets, thanked party workers and said that "we (BJP) accept the people's mandate with humility."

"We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people," tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We accept the people’s mandate with humility. 
 
I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072526642357198849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also wrote party worker and other parties on Twitter: “The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hard work. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hardwork. 
 
Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. 
 
Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072528590443610112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. 
 
Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072527036181303298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference sometime back saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "failed to listen to the heartbeat of the nation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in Assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in Assembly elections. PM Modi, in a series of tweets, thanked party workers and said that "we (BJP) accept the people's mandate with humility." "We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people," tweeted PM Narendra Modi. We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × He also wrote party worker and other parties on Twitter: “The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hard work. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.” The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hardwork. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference sometime back saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "failed to listen to the heartbeat of the nation."

'We accept the people’s mandate with humility,' says PM Narendra Modi

As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">Asaduddin Owaisi</a> is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana. Though Owaisi has been extending unflinching support to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, he's also being courted by the Indian National Congress just in case the "Mahakutami" (Grand Alliance) falls short of the numbers.

Since Monday morning, the buzz on the grapevine had been that caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao had invited Owaisi or "Sadr Saab" as he is called for lunch.&nbsp;

At around noon, Owaisi tweeted, "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker &amp; next CM of Telangana, KCR Sahab @ Telangana CMO at 1.30 pm today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building.....''

Known for his punctuality, the local and national media lay in wait for Owaisi near Pragathi Bhavan, KCR's home-cum-office. All cameras were up and ready, on the lookout for Owaisi's SUV.&nbsp;

However, at around 1.40 pm, a two-wheeler zoomed past Pragathi Bhavan's gates and for a few seconds, none of the journalists gathered there were able to tell that it was Owaisi himself on his two-wheeler — a Triumph 925 cc.&nbsp;

No one had imagined that Owaisi would turn up on his motorcycle.&nbsp;

After three hours, at around 4.45 pm, Asaduddin rode out of Pragathi Bhavan.&nbsp;

This time he could not escape the assembled media. He got down from his motorcycle and spoke to them.&nbsp;

He was of course asked about his entry and exit on his Triumph, to which Asad answered in inimitable Hyderabad style... "Hyderabad ka mausam achcha hai... hamari gaadi (his motorcycle ) aur car (the TRS' symbol is a car) aage bhi speed se saath jaayenge."

After which he zoomed off on his motorcycle.&nbsp;

The results of the Telangana elections, along with those of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram, will be declared tomorrow.&nbsp;

As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" Asaduddin Owaisi is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana.

As always, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslameen president or "sadr" Asaduddin Owaisi is in the news and much in demand with only a few hours to go before the counting of votes in Telangana. Though Owaisi has been extending unflinching support to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, he's also being courted by the Indian National Congress just in case the "Mahakutami" (Grand Alliance) falls short of the numbers. Since Monday morning, the buzz on the grapevine had been that caretaker chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao had invited Owaisi or "Sadr Saab" as he is called for lunch. At around noon, Owaisi tweeted, "I'll be meeting Telangana's caretaker & next CM of Telangana, KCR Sahab @ Telangana CMO at 1.30 pm today. Inshallah he'll form government on his own strength, and Majlis will stand by him. This is our first step towards a larger goal of nation building.....'' Known for his punctuality, the local and national media lay in wait for Owaisi near Pragathi Bhavan, KCR's home-cum-office. All cameras were up and ready, on the lookout for Owaisi's SUV. However, at around 1.40 pm, a two-wheeler zoomed past Pragathi Bhavan's gates and for a few seconds, none of the journalists gathered there were able to tell that it was Owaisi himself on his two-wheeler — a Triumph 925 cc. No one had imagined that Owaisi would turn up on his motorcycle. After three hours, at around 4.45 pm, Asaduddin rode out of Pragathi Bhavan. This time he could not escape the assembled media. He got down from his motorcycle and spoke to them. He was of course asked about his entry and exit on his Triumph, to which Asad answered in inimitable Hyderabad style... "Hyderabad ka mausam achcha hai... hamari gaadi (his motorcycle ) aur car (the TRS' symbol is a car) aage bhi speed se saath jaayenge." After which he zoomed off on his motorcycle. The results of the Telangana elections, along with those of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram, will be declared tomorrow.

Asaduddin Owaisi comes to lunch at KCR's home on his Triumph motorcycle

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi would not ally with the BJP or support it in the next Lok Sabha election as the regional party was secular and the two parties had "very strong differences of opinion", TRS leader and IT Minister KT Rama Rao said.

Rao, son of caretaker chief minister and TRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao, also dubbed as "maha ghatia bandhan" (weak combine) the proposed grand alliance of Congress, TDP and some other parties for the coming assembly election in the state.

He made the comments during an interaction on social media platform Twitter Thursday.

"We are an extremely secular party which carries people of all hues and shades and all sections of society. We don't believe in polarising based on community and based on any other criteria that divides us. So, the question of joining (hands with) BJP or aligning with them does not arise," Rama Rao said.

He was replying to a question if the TRS would support BJP in next year's Lok Sabha elections.

"We don't see eye-to-eye on a number of counts. In fact, we have very strong differences of opinion," he added.

He charged the Congress and the TDP with "doing great deal of injustice" to the people of the state, especially for those who championed the cause of statehood for Telangana.

According to him, the Congress and the TDP have given a "golden" opportunity to the people of Telangana to shoot two birds with one stone - hit the two parties with one vote.

My request is to vote them out of Telangana and ensure that TRS is elected again, he said.

He expressed hope the TRS would win the coming elections, necessitated by the premature dissolution of assembly by the party government, "very, very convincingly".

Rama Rao said he was focused on ensuring the return of party chief Rao as the chief minister.

He said the TRS was considering including an "unemployment allowance" in its election manifesto.

He also claimed that no government had done as much as their's for the youth, especially for the unemployed.

"We have already issued notifications for 90,000 (government) jobs to be filled in the last four years and nearly 40,000 recruitment has been done," he said.

As for government's criticism by some opposition parties, Rama Rao said political parties in a democracy have every right to criticise.

"...But unfortunately the main opposition (Congress), the principal opposition party in Telangana, has been stooping to new lows and body shaming my children...That is a new low in politics," he added.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi would not ally with the BJP or support it in the next Lok Sabha election as the regional party was secular and the two parties had "very strong differences of opinion", TRS leader and IT Minister KT Rama Rao said.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi would not ally with the BJP or support it in the next Lok Sabha election as the regional party was secular and the two parties had "very strong differences of opinion", TRS leader and IT Minister KT Rama Rao said. Rao, son of caretaker chief minister and TRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao, also dubbed as "maha ghatia bandhan" (weak combine) the proposed grand alliance of Congress, TDP and some other parties for the coming assembly election in the state. He made the comments during an interaction on social media platform Twitter Thursday. "We are an extremely secular party which carries people of all hues and shades and all sections of society. We don't believe in polarising based on community and based on any other criteria that divides us. So, the question of joining (hands with) BJP or aligning with them does not arise," Rama Rao said. He was replying to a question if the TRS would support BJP in next year's Lok Sabha elections. "We don't see eye-to-eye on a number of counts. In fact, we have very strong differences of opinion," he added. He charged the Congress and the TDP with "doing great deal of injustice" to the people of the state, especially for those who championed the cause of statehood for Telangana. According to him, the Congress and the TDP have given a "golden" opportunity to the people of Telangana to shoot two birds with one stone - hit the two parties with one vote. My request is to vote them out of Telangana and ensure that TRS is elected again, he said. He expressed hope the TRS would win the coming elections, necessitated by the premature dissolution of assembly by the party government, "very, very convincingly". Rama Rao said he was focused on ensuring the return of party chief Rao as the chief minister. He said the TRS was considering including an "unemployment allowance" in its election manifesto. He also claimed that no government had done as much as their's for the youth, especially for the unemployed. "We have already issued notifications for 90,000 (government) jobs to be filled in the last four years and nearly 40,000 recruitment has been done," he said. As for government's criticism by some opposition parties, Rama Rao said political parties in a democracy have every right to criticise. "...But unfortunately the main opposition (Congress), the principal opposition party in Telangana, has been stooping to new lows and body shaming my children...That is a new low in politics," he added.

No question of joining hands with BJP in Lok Sabha poll: TRS leader

The Election Commission on Wednesday shot down a proposal of the caretaker Telangana government to distribute sarees during a festival as the model code is in force in the state.

The decision came after state IT Minister K Taraka Rama Rao had recently announced that the state government would distribute 90 lakh sarees of 80 different varieties for the Bathukamma festival.

In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Telangana, the EC said it had "not permitted" distribution of sarees during the Bathukamma -- a floral festival that is the state festival of Telangana.

The Congress had on Friday asked the commission to restrain caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, his ministers and other functionaries of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from the proposed distribution of sarees as it was violative of the Model Code of Conduct.

Recently, the EC had said that states where assemblies are dissolved prematurely, the model code would come into force immediately.

The Telangana assembly was dissolved last month though its term was to end in June next year.

The Election Commission on Wednesday shot down a proposal of the caretaker Telangana government to distribute sarees during a festival as the model code is in force in the state.

The Election Commission on Wednesday shot down a proposal of the caretaker Telangana government to distribute sarees during a festival as the model code is in force in the state. The decision came after state IT Minister K Taraka Rama Rao had recently announced that the state government would distribute 90 lakh sarees of 80 different varieties for the Bathukamma festival. In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Telangana, the EC said it had "not permitted" distribution of sarees during the Bathukamma -- a floral festival that is the state festival of Telangana. The Congress had on Friday asked the commission to restrain caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, his ministers and other functionaries of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) from the proposed distribution of sarees as it was violative of the Model Code of Conduct. Recently, the EC had said that states where assemblies are dissolved prematurely, the model code would come into force immediately. The Telangana assembly was dissolved last month though its term was to end in June next year.

No saree-distribution in Telangana during Bathukamma festival: Election Commission 