KAKINADA: Even before the Kakinada Municipal Corporation election results are announced, women candidates from both Telugu Desam and YSR Congress are pinning hopes on mayor post. Incidentally, when Kakinada civic body became corporation in 2004, the first elected mayor was a woman candidate from Congress – K Saroja. Presently, three candidates in TD - Sunkara Siva Prasanna (40th division), Sunkara Pavani (28th division), and Adduri Varalaskhmi (8th division) – are in race for the top post.
Sunkara Siva Prasanna’s husband Sunkara Vidya Sagar is playing an active role in TD and has stronghold in the city. Ms Prasanna due her educational qualification (M.B.A) is one of the stronger contenders from the party. Adding to this, she seems to have edge over other candidates in the party thanks to the support of finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Vidya Sagar.
However, it is learnt that reigning city MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao (Kondababu) is supporting Adduri Varalakshmi, an advocate. It is because of his insistence, Ms Varalaksmi contested, sources said. Another aspirant Ms Pavani’s husband Sunkara Tirumala Kumar is TD’s Kakinada city-unit president. She has the support of Kakinada MP Thota Venkata Narasimham and other upland area MLAs. She also has strong backing from Kapu community.
“All the three candidates may win the elections from their respective divisions. But final decision will be taken by the party high command,” Mr Rao said. Meanwhile, the YSRC candidates have hopes on winning the elections. YSRC leader Ragireddy Kumar fielded his wife R. Chandrakala Deepthi from 30th division. However, she has tough competition in the division in the form of Lions Club senior member Badam Balakrishna.
