Hyderabad: Hectic behind-the-scenes lobbying is on to break the ongoing indefinite strike by government employees of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, who are demanding bifurcation of the state.
Certain key functionaries in the state government are said to be employing "divide and rule" tactics to make at least a major section of the employees call off the strike that has started showing impact on the administration in the 10 Telangana districts since September 13. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy held "secret" parleys with Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee president Swami Goud in his camp office around late on Friday night and tried to prevail upon him to give up the agitation, highly placed sources in the Chief Minister`s Office said on Sunday.
"Goud has agreed to attend a formal meeting with the Chief Minister probably on Monday to discuss all issues concerning the employees," the sources added.
A Group of Ministers on employees` issues is also said to be in the loop on the issue and acting as the channel between Goud and the Chief Minister, they said. CMO sources believe that at least one section of the employees is likely to withdraw from the indefinite strike in the next three-four days based on the outcome of the formal talks with government.
The government employees in the Telangana region are staying away from work since September 13 as part of `Sakala Janula Samme` (strike by all sections of people), called to demand statehood.
PTI