Protesting MSRTC workers are adamant on continuing the strike even as the BJP leaders, who had supported them, backed out after state transport minister Anil Parab warned of strict action against all employees who fail to rejoin duty on Friday. 

Meanwhile, several MSRTC depots opened on Thursday, with buses beginning operations. A MSRTC spokesperson said that 9,705 of the total 92,266 employees reported to work on Thursday, up from 8,300 employees the day before. He further said bus operation has started from several depots including Sangli, Pune, Nashik and other divisions, with the highest number of depots functional in Sangli division.