Kozhikode: LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan on Tuesday dismissed Kerala Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar’s claim that KSRTC employees will join the nationwide strike on Wednesday.

He asserted that Ganesh Kumar has no authority to make such a statement and confirmed that KSRTC services will come to a complete halt as part of the strike.

Ramakrishnan urged the public to cooperate by refraining from using private vehicles on the day of strike.

Earlier, Minister Ganesh Kumar had stated that KSRTC staff were content as they had received their salaries before the 1st of the month and, therefore, had no reason to join the protest. He also claimed that no trade unions had issued a strike notice to KSRTC and that services would operate as usual.

Ramakrishnan strongly countered this, saying, "The claim that no notice was issued is false. Workers have directly submitted a notice to the KSRTC Managing Director. Only the BMS union has opted out of the strike, but even they are not opposing it. Their workers are also expected to join."

He clarified that the minister is not part of KSRTC management and it was not right on his part to make such a statement.

“The notice is served to the MD, not the minister. He has clearly not understood the seriousness of the issue,” Ramakrishnan added.

He emphasised that the strike was not against the Kerala government but was a protest against the anti-labour policies of the central government.

“The fact that workers in Kerala are relatively satisfied is due to the LDF government's worker-friendly stance,” he said.

Ramakrishnan also indicated that the decision to strike was voluntary and without external pressure. “The strike is self-declared. If any buses operate tomorrow, we will reconsider the situation. But as of now, all KSRTC and private bus services will be suspended. Shopkeepers are also expected to cooperate, and it would be best if private vehicles stay off the road,” he stated.