Telangana Elections: BSP's Transgender Contestant, Who Begged At Traffic Signals Once, Promises Education

BSP's transgender contestant, Pushpithalaya, has promised that she will ensure a good education, not only for transgenders but for all, if elected.

BSP's transgender contestant, Pushpithalaya, has promised that she will ensure a good education, not only for transgenders but for all, if elected.

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Telangana Assembly Elections: A 32-year-old transgender Chithrapu Pushpithalaya has found her interest in social service and is now trying her luck as the Bahujan Samaj Party's Warangal (East) candidate for the November 30 Assembly elections in Telangana. Pushpithalaya is pitted against the ruling BRS and the Congress.

Speaking to PTI, she stated that the urge to raise a voice and act against victims of any kind gave her the determination to contest the elections, and the Mayawati-led BSP gave her the platform. If elected, she has promised that she will ensure a good education, not only for transgenders but for all. Pushpithalaya stated that when she was 15 years old, she left for the national capital to undergo sex change surgery.

"I was working in a small call centre and also begged at traffic signals in Delhi along with community members. However, I realised that I should do more and be different. My major concern is atrocities against women. So I decided to stop begging and work for a cause," she said, as quoted by PTI. She further stated that later, she returned to her native place in Warangal district and actively participated in the Dr. BR Ambedkar Association, doing service to the needy, she said.

On being questioned about how she will be able to compete against people like Nannapuneni Narendar, an outgoing MLA from the ruling BRS party, and Konda Surekha of the Congress, Pushpithalaya said people know their "history" and that she has the support of OBCs, SCs, and STs.

"When people who constitute just one per cent of the population can rule us, why can't we, the majority, compete with them?" she asked. RS Praveen Kumar, BSP Telangana chief, said his party's ideology is inclusive and respects diversity.

"The transgenders also need their voices to be heard in the Assembly. And they deserve a space in the House. It is not their fault that they became transgenders. We wanted to give them due recognition," the former IPS officer said, as quoted by PTI.

According to Chithrapu Pushpithalaya, she is highlighting the failures of the sitting BRS legislator despite the party being in power for the past nine and a half years. She said she is getting a positive response during her campaign and that people are also making some cash donations, which will help her meet poll expenses.

"I don't promise double-bedroom houses or anything like that. If elected, I will try to give good education and health facilities to all. Providing education facilities is the primary objective, she said. On being asked about her plans for the transgender community, Pushpithalaya said that though all are equal, good education will stop the community from resorting to begging on the streets. According to Pushpithalaya's election affidavit, she has a bank balance of Rs 52,000 with no movable or immovable assets.