Gaddar refused to contest against KCR in Karimnagar election: Harish Rao

Former Minister T Harish Rao recalled balladeer Gaddar's contribution to the second phase of the Telangana movement. Addressing a book launch programme organised by the Gaddar Foundation in Siddipet on Sunday

Siddipet: Former Minister T Harish Rao recalled balladeer Gaddar’s contribution to the second phase of the Telangana movement. Addressing a book launch programme organised by the Gaddar Foundation in Siddipet on Sunday, Harish Rao said that Gaddar had refused to contest against BRS founder and Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in Karimnagar Lok Sabha elections when Praja Sangala Ikya Karyacharana Samithi requested him to contest against BRS.

He said that Gaddar also asked Samithi not to field any candidate against BRS MLAs, and MPs who resigned in 2008 demanding the immediate formation of Telangana State. Rao remembered that Gaddar even promised to campaign in favour of the MLAs and MPs if the situation demanded. The former minister recalled that BRS MLA Soilpeta Ramalinga Reddy lost the election in Dubbak as Ikya Karyacharana Samithi fielded a candidate. When Ramalinga Reddy lost the election with a slender margin of 3,000 votes, Rao said Gaddar observed that Ramalinga Reddy would have won the election had Samithi refrained from the contest.

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He said Gaddar supported the Telangana movement under the leadership of Chandrashekhar Rao as he believed that the dream of a separate state would be realised under the leadership of the former chief minister. Recalling his association with Gaddar when he was irrigation minister, Rao said that he had built lift irrigation to Matiga Cheruvu in Toopran, Gaddar’s native place, following his request.

He further said that Gaddar also wrote a letter to then Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in 2016 requesting him to enhance the salary of sanitation workers. Rao said that the BRS government immediately implemented his recommendation. The former minister said that they would certainly install Gaddar’s statue in Siddipet in the right location.

Rao appreciated the efforts of the Gaddar Foundation by publishing his songs. Gaddar’s son Suryam, writer Sida Reddy, MLC Deshpathi Srinivas, former MLA Rasamai Balakishan and others were present.