Visakhapatnam: As the GVMC polls are nearing, the BJP is getting ready to bag maximum number of seats to contest.
The BJP wants at least 40 per cent of the GVMC wards to contest, from its alliance partner TD. Though both the partners are expected to contest jointly, the BJP is likely to bargain for more number of seats.
At present, there are 72 wards and if the polls are conducted in the merged municipalities of Anakapalle and Bheemili also, an additional 14 will be added to the list. The BJP wants to strengthen the party in Vizag and is looking at the GVMC polls as a right opportunity to achieve it.
Vizag North Assembly constituency is represented by BJP MLA P. Vishnukumar Raju and the party may seek maximum seats from the North Assembly constituency.
The district administration also started working on the revision of the electoral rolls in the GVMC limits and set a target to finish the work by June 15, which only shows that the civic polls are round the corner, though there has been no any official announcement on it.
Polls for the GVMC have been due since 2012. While the YSRC is trying to gain ground with its stir for a separate railway zone, both the TD and BJP are banking on various projects sanctioned for Vizag, including Smart City initiatives.
In the present circumstances, the Congress has reduced to a non-entity and may also find it difficult to field candidates. To retain its position, the GVMC polls are very important for the ruling parties.
