Anantkumar Hegde says BSNL full of traitors, threatens to axe 88,000 jobs once privatised

In a video of an event held at Kumta in the Uttara Karnataka district, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Anantkumar Hegde called employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) traitors, who were not willing to work for the company.

"BSNL has a system filled with traitors. I am using accurate words to describe them," he said in the video, adding that the Narendra Modi-led government failed to addressed problems with the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).

"The government has given money, people require services and there is infrastructure. Yet, they (BSNL employees) don't work. PM talks of Digital India, has provided funds and technology. Yet, they are not willing to work," he said.

According to a report by Deccan Herald, the MP said that BSNL has become a black mark for the entire country and we will finish it. The central government will introduce disinvestment policy and close BSNL and the space will be occupied by private parties in the coming days.

Anantkumar Hegde also said that more than 88,000 employees will be fired from the PSU, as the government will privatise BSNL.