Party leaders say their request was delayed and rejected; South Central Railway cites short notice and operational requirements
Protest held outside railway office
Telangana Congress leaders staged a demonstration outside the South Central Railway General Manager’s office in Secunderabad on October 28. They were protesting the reported rejection of the party’s request for special trains to carry workers to New Delhi for the INDIA bloc rally on November 1.
State Congress president leads demonstration
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud led the protest along with other party leaders and workers. The party said additional train services were needed to help supporters travel from Telangana to the gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.
Congress questions delay in response
Congress leaders alleged that their request for special trains had remained pending for six days before being turned down. They questioned the handling of the application and said the decision would make it harder for party workers to reach the national capital in time for the rally.
Several leaders court arrest
During the demonstration, Mahesh Kumar Goud and other leaders, including state minister Ponnam Prabhakar, courted arrest. Party workers also took part in the protest and called for the railway authorities to reconsider the request.
Railway cites operational constraints
South Central Railway said the request could not be accommodated because it had been received at short notice and would require extensive operational arrangements. Special services involve coordination over train availability, routes and scheduling. The railway’s explanation differs from the Congress leaders’ allegations about the delay.
Rally mobilisation continues
The November 1 Ramlila Maidan rally is part of the Congress and INDIA bloc campaign over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision. Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders have appealed to people to participate. The Telangana protest highlights the logistical issues involved in mobilising supporters from different states.