In the current Telangana elections, unemployment has become a major issue, with the Congress heavily targeting the BRS government on these grounds. In the Congress manifesto, they have assured a monthly stipend of Rs.4,000 for unemployed youth and Rs.10 lakh interest-free loans for the youth. While KCR is not addressing the unemployment issue in his speeches during the ongoing ‘Praja Asheervada Sabha,’ meetings, Congress is capitalizing on this gap between the youth and the BRS government to attract them towards their party. On the other side, in various parts of the state, daily wage workers are finding employment by participating in political parties’ public meetings and rallies, earning between Rs.500 to Rs.1000 per day.
Political rallies of all political parties in Telangana are successful. Huge numbers of people attend these rallies.
— PVS Sarma (@pvssarma) November 16, 2023
Fact is, same people attend rallies of different political parties without ideological affiliation.
Sources suggest, parties spend ₹1000 per person to get them.
Adda Coolies in Political Rallies
Across the state, from Hyderabad to smaller towns, ‘Coolie Addas’ can be found everywhere. Adda Coolies arrives at these spots early in the morning, and individuals seeking labour for porters, construction, drainage works, etc. hire them for their tasks after negotiating the wage. Sometimes, it’s challenging for them to find daily-wage work, but during the current election season, Adda Coolies is in high demand as a campaigner.
Political parties are paying Adda Coolies Rs.500 per half day and up to Rs.1000 for a full day. Additionally, they provide lunch, biryani packets, or meals. Not only Adda Coolies but also housewives from poor and below-middle-class families are participating in political rallies as campaigners and Kolatam players to earn some money. Despite their lack of knowledge about politics or political ideologies and the event programmes, they are being utilised to earn a daily wage. What political parties expect from them are slogans like ‘Zindabad’.
సిర్పూర్ లో కోనప్పకి మనుషులు లేక కేసిఆర్ సభ కోసం మహారాష్ట్ర నుండి అరువు తెచ్చుకుంటుండు.#KCRFailedTelangana #IamRSP #BSP4Sirpur #VR99 #Time4Blue @RSPraveenSwaero @BITCELL_BSP pic.twitter.com/Mkyc7gjGpX
— BSP4Telangana (@BSP4Telangana) November 8, 2023
For political parties, it doesn’t matter whether these individuals are local residents or whether they have voting rights. The parties aim to demonstrate their strength in the streets and at public meetings. Recently, during CM KCR’s public meeting at the Sirpur assembly, BSP alleged that people from neighboring Maharashtra were being brought in to create the impression of a massive gathering. Even residents of other states living in Hyderabad are participating in political rallies solely to earn money for that day.
Also Read: Telangana Elections: Crorepatis Of Telangana Polls!
Attracting Youth for Political Rallies
To attract the youth to their political rallies, parties are offering incentives such as fuel for their bikes, mobile recharges, and cricket kits. They are also providing everyday non-vegetarian meals and liquor to the youth. Some parties are even promising to take them on tours to Goa or other places after the election ends. Additionally, there are promises of providing bank loans and subsidy schemes to the youth after winning. The common public is very clear that they will accept whatever offerings political parties provide and will vote according to their own preferences.
