Party leaders protest in Secunderabad, while South Central Railway says the request came too close to the event
Demonstration follows railway decision
Telangana Congress leaders held a protest outside the South Central Railway General Manager’s office in Secunderabad on October 28. The demonstration followed the reported rejection of the party’s request for special trains to take workers to New Delhi for the INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1.
State unit says extra services were needed
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud led the protest with other party leaders and workers. The state unit said additional services would have helped supporters travel to the gathering at Ramlila Maidan.
Congress questions the response time
Party leaders alleged that their request had remained pending for six days before it was rejected. They argued that the delay and the final decision would make it more difficult for workers from Telangana to reach the national capital in time.
Leaders court arrest during protest
Mahesh Kumar Goud and other leaders, including state minister Ponnam Prabhakar, courted arrest during the demonstration. Party workers also joined the protest and called on railway authorities to reconsider the request.
Railway cites short notice and operational needs
South Central Railway said the request had been received at short notice and could not be accommodated because special services require substantial operational planning. Such arrangements involve train availability, route planning and scheduling. The railway’s explanation differs from the Congress leaders’ account of how the request was handled.
Transport issue intersects with political mobilisation
The November 1 rally is part of the Congress and INDIA bloc campaign over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision. The dispute over special trains highlights the practical challenges involved in bringing supporters to a national political event from different states.