`93 drivers died by suicide': BRS lawmakers drive to Assembly in auto-rickshaws, seek justice for community

Hyderabad: BRS MLAs and MLCs pulled up a surprise when they came to the Telangana Assembly in auto rickshaws to express solidarity with the driver community and pressure the government to fulfill their demands.

The lawmakers boarded auto-rickshaws from MLA quarters at Adarsh Nagar and drove to Telangana Assembly in a bid to make a statement.

The party also moved an adjournment request in both Houses seeking debate on this issue. In its adjournment resolution, the BRS stated that due to the government's lack of foresight policies, auto drivers in the state are facing many difficulties and are committing suicide due to loss of employment opportunities.

Shouting slogans and carrying placards, the leaders dressed like auto drivers reached the Assembly. They highlighted the financial hardship experienced by vehicle drivers, which had resulted in 93 suicides in the state. The agitating BRS leaders referred to these fatalities as "government murders" and accused the Congress government of ignoring election-related promises to the people.

"So far, 93 auto drivers have died by suicide for various reasons since the Congress came to power in Telangana. We have given the list of auto drivers who committed suicide in the previous Assembly sessions. The government turned a blind eye to their woes," said BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) and demanded that the state government establish a welfare board for auto drivers and proposed to discuss it in the Assembly.

The BRS MLAs demanded that the state government provide a financial allowance of Rs 12,000 per month and insurance and every aspect that was converted in their election manifesto has to be delivered immediately. They also made it clear that the BRS would fight for them and appealed to the auto drivers not to commit suicide.

Earlier, the BRS legislators including party's working president KTR wore T-shirts with the photos of Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy and business tycoon Gautam Adani exposing the alleged ''unholy nexus" between them.