Independent candidate Poosa Srinivas files nomination for Jubilee Hills by-poll, riding a rickshaw

Independent candidate and Telangana Udyama Karulu Sangham president Poosa Srinivas filed his nomination for the Jubilee Hills bypoll, arriving on an open rickshaw. He hopes to win with support from his Gangaputra community, which has a strong presence in the constituency

Hyderabad: Independent candidate Poosa Srinivas, president of the Telangana Udyama Karulu Sangham, filed his nomination for the Jubilee Hills by-poll on Monday.

A resident of Musheerabad in the city, Srinivas decided to contest from the Jubilee Hills constituency because of a significant number of voters from his community, the Gangaputra, who comprise approximately 20,000 voters in this assembly segment.

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To file his nomination, Srinivas hired an open-top rickshaw for Rs 2,000 from Mutyanna, the rickshaw owner who transports goods at Koti.

He reached the Returning Office in Shaikpet by car from Musheerabad and alighted 500 metres away.

Wearing only a white dhoti and a garland, he rode the rickshaw up to the Returning Office amidst the beating of drums, accompanied by five of his associates.

Upon arrival, police informed Srinivas that rickshaws were not permitted inside the Returning Office due to Election Commission rules and regulations. Subsequently, Srinivas dismounted and entered to file his nomination.

“I trust in my community’s Gangaputra votes in the Jubilee Hills constituency. They are in Shaikpet, Borabanda, Jubilee Hills, and Yousufguda. I contested 14 times as an MLA and MP in Bhongir Assembly constituency of Nalgonda district and the Munugode by-poll, but was defeated,” Srinivas told Telangana Today.