Telangana's ‘Barrelakka’ defies odds: From buffaloes to ballots, Karne Sirisha makes a foray into politics with her ‘Jobs for the Jobless' campaign

Raised by a single mother, in conditions plagued by dire poverty, 26-year-old Karne Shirisha, the ‘Barrelakka’ (buffalo sister) of Telangana has emerged as a formidable contender in the Kollapur Assembly constituency's political landscape. Telangana’s Barrelakka rose to fame after a video of her mocking the government over the over the employment situation in the state went viral on social media.

In the video, Sirisha can be seen rearing four buffalos that her mother bought for her to look after in order to save the family from plunging into abject poverty. The 26-year-old narrated her ordeal for the masses, in spite of being adequately qualified for a government job, she failed to secure one, thus, resorting to tending buffaloes to make a living, earning her the title of ‘barrelakka’(buffalo sister). However, her video garnered the ire of the local cops and a suo-motu FIR was lodged against her in Kollapur, thus, deeming her ineligible for a government job in the foreseen future. 

Sirisha’s video struck a chord with the unemployed youth of her constituency, who resonated with her predicament and extended their support to her electoral campaign whose action call is ‘Job for the jobless’. An independent candidate, Sirisha is all set to compete with Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy of BRS and Jupally Krishna Rao of Congress in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled on November 30. With a whistle (her poll symbol), the 26-year-old is now on a whistle stop tour of her constituency, hoping to voice the voiceless with her electoral manifesto, reflective of the day to day perils of the common people.

With a manifesto focused on issues such as unemployment, a job calendar, hospital construction, and educational institutes in the constituency, her entry into politics has stirred the established players in the constituency, with both Congress and BRS candidates taking notice of her growing influence.

Team News The Truth and Tamal Saha caught up with the Barrelakka of Telangana amidst the election frenzy. Sirisha maintained that it is with god above her head and a clear conscience that she has pinned her heart on her sleeve and embarked upon this journey for the welfare of her people. “I want to help the youth. BRS has let us down, in spite of being qualified, my people do not have a job, they are languishing in heart wrenching conditions and that is not fair. This is what I want to change with my work,” said the 26-year-old during her poll campaign.

Unwavering support has poured in for Telangana’s Barrelakka from all quarters of her constituency. Despite financial constraints, Sirisha has garnered widespread support, with funds, campaign vehicles, and volunteers actively promoting her candidacy. From having to borrow Rs 5000 from her aunt and friends to file her nomination, making a foray into politics, Sirisha now has now managed to garner generous donations from the people to keep her political campaign afloat. “I am truly overwhelmed by the generous out pour of support. Hundreds of people have joined me in my campaign, some have extended their cars, some have donated towards the poll expenses, and this is beyond anything I had imagined,” said Sirisha with folded hands, thanking the people for their generosity. Malladi Krishna Rao, and ex-minister of Puducherry has also sent 1 lakh rupees towards the poll expenses. Seen as the messiah of the unemployed youth of the Kollapur constituency, Sirisha is now on a journey to uplift the downtrodden, empower the youth, and flag issues that matter. 

Sirisha's grassroots campaign in Kollapur gained attention when she and her brother were attacked, allegedly by members of the ruling party. Seeking security during her election campaign, she moved the Telangana High Court, which directed the police to provide her with a security detail. Sirisha has said that many irresistible temptations have come her way; some have offered her huge sums of money to drop out of politics, while some have offered a house, however, she has set her heart on the politics of the people. Despite facing death threats and attacks on her family members, Sirisha remains resolute in her mission to challenge a system that often overlooks the concerns of the masses.