Toyota Kirloskar Factory Crisis: Workers demand government intervention
Bangalore: The worker’s protest in front of the Japan-based Toyota factory at the Bidadi Industrial area entered the 6th day on Saturday. With demands such as the sudden ‘lockout’ order announced to close the Toyota Kirloskar Factory at Bidadi must be withdrawn. Workers must receive recompense for suspension on charges of disorderly conduct. The inhuman decision to restrict workers from using the toilets and the act of cutting worker’s wages for trivial reasons must be dropped, the worker’s demonstration seeking changes has intensified.
Various labour and pro-Kannada organizations, including the Left-wing worker’s unions, are supporting the workers' movement that is fighting to resolve the crisis faced by the Toyota Company’s workers.
The workers are demanding that the company must withdraw the unilateral decision they announced that has led to the lockout. They are also against the restriction imposed on workers against using toilets and the mounting pressure experienced by the workers to increase production.
Seeking solutions, the Toyota Kirloskar Factory’s worker’s union leader Prasanna has insisted Chief Minister Yediyurappa and the Minister for Labour, Shivaram Hebbar to immediately intervene in this crisis and help the protesting workers obtain justice.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
