Though several problems bother the citizens of Karimnagar Assembly constituency, leaders turn a blind eye to them and are concentrating more to take advantage of the formation of Telangana.
Traffic snarls in Karimnagar town is the major complaint of the residents of the constituency as it affects every aspect of their life. The Rs 76-crore underground drainage system, which was started seven years ago, is yet to be completed. The contractor stopped the works mid-way leading to dusty and damaged roads. “We cannot move on roads in Karimnagar without using face masks,” says Shankar, a teacher in a private school. The dusty roads are also affecting the health of the citizens leaving them prone to many kinds of allergies.
Road expansion in Karimnagar town also lies pending. This issue will play on the minds of voters during the elections and will influence the verdict.
Some other issues plaguing the constituency include lack of sanitation facilities like public toilets at important junctions.
The constituency, comprising 50 divisions of the Karimanagr Municipal Corporation, 29 villages and 15 hamlets, face problems during the monsoon due to improper drainage system.
Sitting MLA Gangula Kamalakar, who joined the TRS about an year ago, has been accused of neglecting people’s problems and striving for his political existence.
Construction of 7,500 Indiramma houses in Baddipalli and Chintakunta is yet to complete owing to pending bills.
“People’s representatives have got Indiramma house and the real beneficiaries are being left homeless,’’ J Mallaiah, a daily wage worker, alleged. Rajiv Swagruha scheme remains as a dream for beneficiaries.
Sitting MLA: Gagula Kamalakar
Party: TDP (now TRS)
Votes polled: 68,738
Margin of victory: 30,134
Runner-up: Chalimeda Lakshmi Narasimha Rao
Party: Congress
Votes polled: 38,607
Total electors: 2,61,573
Men: 1,33,727
Women: 1,27,846
Poll percentage: 53.66
Total votes polled: 1,40,123
No of contestants: 17
Men: 15
Women: 2
No of polling stations: 314
Avg per polling station: 833