Congress, BJP, BRS Woo Singareni Workers Ahead of Union Polls

Adilabad: Leading political parties have focused on the coal belt regions and the issues faced by workers ahead of the upcoming elections to the recognized union at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

The last elections were held in December 2023, but the schedule for the next elections remains uncertain. Elections are usually held every two years.

There are speculations that the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), may align with the Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangam (TBGKS) affiliated with the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) for the elections.

SCCL operates in the erstwhile Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Adilabad districts and the union elections are expected to affect around 40 Assembly constituencies. Singari workers and their families constitute an important voter base in many segments.

BRS vice president T. Harish Rao recently visited Godavarikhani and suggested a tour of coal mines under the ‘Congress Hatavo Singareni Bachavo’ programme. Former minister Koppula Eshwar serves as the honorary president of TBGKS. Harish Rao also attended the workers’ meeting organized by TBGKS in Khajipalli.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka is scheduled to visit coal mines in Mancherial district on June 13 and interact with workers; Visits to open-pit mines in Srirampur are also planned.

Congress, BJP and BRS are looking for ways to strengthen their presence among Singareni workers ahead of the elections.

SCCL has 11 divisions and the outcome of union elections is seen as politically important. In the 2023 elections, AITUC was recognized as the representative union, winning five divisions and securing a majority of 1,999 votes against the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which won six divisions.

Although TBGKS was previously recognized in 2012 and 2017, it failed to win any division in 2023. In 2017, AITUC won two divisions, while INTUC did not object and did not extend its support to AITUC.

The Congress is working to strengthen INTUC’s base in Singari, seeing success in the union elections as a factor that could boost the confidence of the cadre ahead of future Assembly elections.