Doha, Qatar:As elections for Qatar's major expatriate groups near their conclusion, the participation of the Telugu diaspora has been notably low. The elections, which are taking place this Friday, involve three key associations representing non-resident Indians (NRIs) in Qatar: the Indian Cultural and Welfare Associations (ICBF and ICC) and the Indian Sports Club (ISC).

The election process, overseen by the Indian Embassy, is conducted democratically, with fierce competition, especially for the ICBF, which focuses on workers' welfare. Prominent Malayalee candidates, such as Shanavas Bawa for ICBF president and AP Manikantan for ICC, are vying for leadership positions. Despite this, the Telugu community's participation remains minimal.

The Telugu expatriate population in Qatar is smaller compared to the Malayalee community, with many Telugu expats reluctant to pay membership fees, leading to underrepresentation in the voter base. While active on social media, the Telugu community tends to only engage in events offering free food and does not contribute financially to these associations.

Though a few new Telugu voters have joined the list, their influence is expected to be minimal. Candidates such as Abbagoni Nandini, Khaja Nizamuddin, Praveen Buyani, and Deepak Chukka from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are campaigning actively. The Telugu community hopes the elected leader will guide them towards a more prosperous future.