Visakhapatnam: Decision to hold polls for civic bodies in the state had generated heat among political parties in Vizag and the leaders went into the poll mode. Polls for GVMC was been due since 2012.
While YSRC is trying to gain ground by launching the stir for a separate railway zone, likening it to Visakha Ukku Andhrula Hakku agitation, both TD and BJP are banking on various projects sanctioned for Vizag, including, Smart City initiatives.Congress was reduced to a non-entity in the present scenario.
Though both the alliance partners are expected to contest jointly, BJP is likely to bargain for major seats and may also stake claim for mayor’s seat. To retain its position, GVMC polls are very important for the ruling parties and to sustain in the district, these polls are equally important for opposition YSRC. BJP is looking at strengthening the party in the region with these civic body polls though both the alliance partners will contest together.
Earlier, BJP candidate, N.S.N. Reddy was the first mayor of Vizag Municipal Corporation in 1979. “We are ready to face the polls and confident of winning majority wards and also the mayor’s seat,” said a TD leader.
Interestingly while other parties like TD, YSRC and BJP are yet to begin the groundwork, Congress leaders have already jumped into the act though prospects are bleak.
City Congress committee appointed three in-charges for each Assembly constituency that comes under GVMC limits to select suitable candidates to contest. There are total seven Assembly segments that come under GVMC limits and 72 wards.
Vizag has been without a mayor with the term of GVMC’s first civic body led by P. Janardhana Rao of Congress expiring on February 25, 2012. Since then, GVMC has been administered by a special officer of the rank of principal secretary in the AP secretariat.
Of the total 72 wards, while the TD and its allies CPI and CPM had 35 corporators in the last GVMC body, Congress was left 26 after 11 of its corporators changed its loyalties to YSRC.
