Why state, his own party won't cut Rao to size | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Why state, his own party won't cut Rao to size

Hindustan Times | ByKetaki Ghoge & Sayli Udas Mankikar, Mumbai
Sep 08, 2010 02:47 AM IST

It was veteran trade union leader and president of the Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Union Sharad Rao who asked rickshaw drivers to stay off the roads on Tuesday, inconveniencing lakhs of commuters.

It was veteran trade union leader and president of the Mumbai Auto Rickshaw Union Sharad Rao who asked rickshaw drivers to stay off the roads on Tuesday, inconveniencing lakhs of commuters.

HT Image
HT Image

This was not the first time Rao held the city to ransom. But the state has rarely done anything to rein him in. The government admitted as much.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I accept that we have been lenient since we did not want to take up cudgels with rickshaw drivers, who are basically daily wage earners. But things are getting worse. We will not allow a repeat [of Tuesday’s strike],” said Transport Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

So why has the government been soft on Rao all these years?

For starters, Rao is part of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which shares power in the state with the Congress. He yields tremendous clout as the leader of half a dozen trade unions, including the Municipal Mazdoor Union, the Bombay Hawkers’ Union and transport unions. Rao has headed the dominant rickshaw and bus unions after splitting from trade unionist George Fernandes two decades ago. He also set up a taxi union in 2004.

The NCP, on its part, cannot ignore the advantages of controlling the unions, especially transport — Mumbai has 56,000 taxis and 1.04 lakh rickshaws. Controlling them translates into having the power to paralyse the city. Also, with civic elections round the corner, the NCP is in no mood to anger Rao.

“All trade unions across the nation are on strike. Why single out Rao?” said NCP state president Madhukar Pichad. NCP city president Narendra Verma was less supportive, but refused to take on Rao. “A strike is not the solution. The problems can be sorted out with the authorities concerned. People should not be inconvenienced,” said Verma.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On