“I’m Kota Shyam Kumar from Karimnagar. I come from a middle-class family and run an interior design business. For years, I lived like most people—following rules, paying taxes, and waiting for things to improve. But I realised that waiting doesn’t bring change. I saw people selling their votes for money, liquor, or small favors, and then facing the consequences for years. That’s when I started my campaign ‘Vote Not for Sale’, to encourage people to vote for integrity and think about the long-term impact of their choices.

The spark came when my own vehicle was damaged after hitting a pothole near Court Crossroads. It was more than a dent; it showed me that broken roads reflect broken accountability. I thought, “If I don’t act, who will?” I used some of my savings, bought gravel and tools, and filled potholes in about ten places across Karimnagar. It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt necessary.

I even protested by sitting in a pothole on the busy Karimnagar–Jagtial road, wearing a helmet and holding a sign: “We pay fines for not wearing helmets. Who will pay for bad roads?”

During another awareness drive in Hyderabad, I wore a joker mask and held a placard that read, “I am not a joker. But if you sell your vote, you will become one.” It was symbolic because selling your vote means giving away your voice.
I also contested as an Independent candidate in the 2024 Karimnagar Lok Sabha elections. While I didn’t win, it was important for me to show that real change begins with participation and public awareness.

My message is simple: your vote is your power. Don’t sell it. Vote Not for Sale. Elect those who will fix what is broken, not just promise it. I am not against any party. I am against apathy. True change begins when we stop being silent and start taking responsibility.”