Saishree Mohanty
In a dramatic turn of events, hundreds of striking employees gathered outside the Karnataka government’s offices today, demanding immediate action on their demands before the model code of conduct for the upcoming elections kicks in. The employees belong to various government departments and have been on strike for several weeks now, demanding better pay and working conditions.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans, gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore, where the government’s offices are located. A heavy police presence met them, but the atmosphere remained largely peaceful.
One of the protesters said to reporters, “We have been demanding our rights for weeks now, but the government has not taken us seriously. We are here today to remind them they can no longer ignore us. We want our demands to be met before the model code of conduct comes into force.”
The model code of conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India that regulates the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections. It is expected to come into force in the coming days as the state gears up for assembly elections later this year.
The striking employees fear that once the model code of conduct is in place, the government cannot make significant decisions on their demands. They are therefore demanding that the government address their concerns immediately.
The Karnataka government has not yet responded to the protesters’ demands. However, sources within the government have indicated that talks are underway with the striking employees, and a solution could be reached soon.
The strike has significantly impacted the functioning of various government departments, with several services disrupted. The protesters, however, remain determined to continue their strike until their demands are met.
As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the protesters’ demands and whether a solution can be reached before the model code of conduct comes into force.