HYDERABAD: Politicians distributing money to voters isn’t new but if voters pool in some amount for a candidate for his security deposit to fight the elections is something unusual. This has happened in Siddipet. Gurralagundhi villagers pooled money and handed not only the security deposit amount but also more to irrigation minister T Harish Rao for his election expenditure. Harish Rao will seek a re-election from Siddipet assembly constituency.The mahila sangham and yadava sangham contributed Rs 5,116 each, the munnuru kapu sangham, gouda sangham, SC Ambedkar madigam sangham, SC Ambedkar Mala Sangham, arya vysya sangam, reddy Sangham donated Rs 2,116 each, the mudiraj sangham contributed Rs 1,116 and Gangaputra Sagham contributed Rs 3,116. A total of Rs 29,276 was handed over to the minister as a gesture of support from their side for his re-election by the villagers of Gurralagundhi in Chinnakodur mandal.During his campaign which he began in Siddipet constituency, Harish Rao was paraded in a bullock cart in the streets and was welcomed by various caste-based organisations. Overcome by emotion at the reception that he received, Harish Rao said even in the past when he had quit his MLA post in the struggle for a separate Telangana state, the people had given him both ‘notes and votes’. “This is an honour for me,” he said.Like several other villages, Kochagutta palli village also took a unanimous decision to support his candidature in the elections. “I am touched by this gesture of yours. This is an unforgettable thing in my life,” he said. The minister was specially thankful to Kochagutta palli because this village was displaced on account of the irrigation projects and canal constructions. “Though the complete process of rehabilitation has not take place, you have come out in support of the government,” he said.Addressing the electorate, the minister pointed out that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had promised special category status for Andhra Pradesh if his party came to power. “This should not be at the cost of Telangana,” he said.

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