JAGTIAL/KARIMNAGAR‘Termination’ of services of a driver of a private hired bus (PHB) of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) on charges of ‘criticising’ the ruling Congress party leaders over the issue of paddy procurement in Jagtial on Monday sparked a controversy with BRS local leaders terming the action as ‘unwarranted’.The action followed a ‘suggestive comment’ made by the driver identified as B. Ashok during a protest organised by the Congress party cadre against the fuel price hike in Jagtial on Monday.According to sources, Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar and a host of other Congress leaders took part in the dharna against ‘spiraling fuel prices’ under the reign of BJP-led Central government.Ashok reportedly stopped the bus on the roadside during the dharna and made the remark while speaking to a person from his native place.Later in the day, the TGSRTC Jagtial depot manager reportedly issued orders to the PHB owner to relieve Ashok from PHB services immediately. The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by Mandal Congress president of Dharmapuri against Ashok, sources added.Ashok, however, insisted that he made casual remarks without uttering a single word against any political leader or political party. He claimed that he was referring to farmers who produce food grains after months of hard work.Meanwhile, a delegation of the BRS leaders led by the party State general secretary T. Jeevan Reddy met the TGSRTC Regional Manager in Karimnagar on Tuesday afternoon to withdraw the ‘termination’ orders. Published - May 26, 2026 07:10 pm IST