Image Credit: ANI
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Image Credit: Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde (Photo Credit: ANI)
An innovative ‘Friday Public Transport Day’ campaign by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is threatened with an existential danger in the prestigious Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). As civic transport system geared up for a huge shock wave, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) workers announced a total strike from Friday onwards.
The campaign, initiated last week, inspires thousands of corporate executives operating in Mumbai’s premier commercial hub to park their private conveyances. This campaign aims to use the mass transport system to reduce heavy congestion and polluted atmosphere in the region. Over 70 elite organisations have offered their structural support to the environment-friendly initiative.
For effective handling of the expected influx in commuter demand on Friday, BEST officials planned to increase the number of buses on existing bus routes in the region.
Ordinarily, the civic authority operates 976 daily runs via 16 bus routes by utilizing 125 buses in the local fleet. In addition to these 16 bus routes, the civic officials decided to add 12 more regular buses and 4 additional high-frequency buses in order to serve on the busiest BKC-3 route.
Additionally, BEST planned to deploy 104 luxury buses through its mobile application named ‘Chalo Premium’ to provide services to corporate executives. Some critical feeder routes between crucial transport points such as Kurla Railway Station, Bandra Terminus, and Swavalamban Bhavan were also planned to increase their deployment. However, this entire operational plan hangs by a thread.
The impending traffic deadlock comes on the heels of a crucial Thursday evening session where the BEST Joint Workers’ Action Committee made a unanimous decision to conduct their indefinite strike.
This has led to an important escalation where union leaders have confirmed that the strike has been successful in expanding from permanent employees to contractual workers. “Strike is on. In addition, we have also talked to wet lease employees who will also join it,” commented Committee President Uday Ambonkar.
Labor Unions have raised some complete demands that include the following:
With travelers facing a tough time on account of delays and high prices from auto rickshaws and taxis, BEST is fighting back with a legal approach.
It was found out by BEST authorities that the Industrial Court had taken a serious step by issuing an interim order which legally restrains all employees including union members and wet-let operators from going on strike.
Although the court’s order makes the strike illegal in technical terms, the situation is quite explosive on the ground due to possible defiance by the union.
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Image Credit: Image: IANS
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday made it clear that the National Conference (NC) will not compromise its ideology or core values for political power. Speaking in Bandipora district, Abdullah said the party would continue to follow its long-held principles and remain committed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of changing political equations at the national level.
Abdullah was responding to reports that some opposition Members of Parliament, including leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT), may support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on certain issues.
He said every political party is free to make its own decisions, but the National Conference will continue to follow its own ideology, history, and commitments.
The Chief Minister stressed that the National Conference has a long political legacy and a clear set of values.
“The National Conference has a long political legacy and a set of values that can be judged from its past decisions. Our principles are not for sale,” Abdullah said.
He added that no political offer or compromise could force the party to abandon its core beliefs.
Abdullah said the National Conference would never compromise its moral values or political principles for short-term gains.
He said the party’s decisions would always be guided by public interest and ideological conviction rather than political convenience or shifting alliances.
According to Abdullah, the NC remains committed to the people of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and will continue to uphold its political stance.
During his interaction with the media, Abdullah said he could not speak for leaders or MPs of other opposition parties.
He said it was up to individual parties and their leaders to decide how far they wanted to go in supporting or opposing the NDA government.
“It is up to them. It is up to their conscience. They will go as far as their conscience allows them to go,” he said.
The National Conference currently has representation in both Houses of Parliament.
The party holds two seats in the Lok Sabha through Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from Srinagar and Mian Altaf Ahmad from Anantnag-Rajouri. It also has three members in the Rajya Sabha.
Abdullah indicated that the party’s MPs would continue to act in line with the National Conference’s established political position and ideology.
Abdullah’s remarks come amid political speculation that some opposition MPs could support the NDA government on key legislative issues.
The discussions gained attention following reports of internal differences within certain opposition parties, including the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT).
However, Abdullah made it clear that the National Conference’s position remains unchanged and that the party will not alter its ideology for political advantage.
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