Senior Leader Prabhakar Criticises Minister Bharath’s Inaction
The TD’s "failure" to oust Ramaiah, as it has done in other municipalities, has caused resentment within the Kurnool district party.
Kurnool: The city Mayor and YSR Congress leader BY Ramaiah is at the centre of an intensifying political controversy, as a senior Telugu Desam leader has criticised his continuation despite the 3-party alliance forming the government.
The TD’s "failure" to oust Ramaiah, as it has done in other municipalities, has caused resentment within the Kurnool district party.
Although no-confidence motions were introduced in several other municipalities and YSRC’s mayors removed from the posts, Kurnool remains an exception. However, Ramaiah, who was YSRC’s unsuccessful MP candidate last year, continues in office without any resistance from TD.
Ramaiah was elected Mayor on March 18, 2021. His four-year term ended in March 2025. As per municipal regulations, a no-confidence motion can be moved only after the completion of four years. TDP leaders were expected to do this after March 2025, but this did not happen. There’s no hint of a strategy from the ruling party to reclaim the position.
During a recent TDP district-level Maha Nadu, Prabhakar openly criticised industries minister TG Bharath for his failure to act against Ramaiah. Prabhakar alleged that the minister was helping the mayor to remain in office rather than securing the seat for the TD.
Prabhakar’s comments created ripples within party circles, especially as many grassroots leaders have for long been expecting the removal of Ramaiah after his four years in office.
Notably, minister Bharath did not attend the meeting. He remained silent despite the public rebuke. Prabhakar warned that he would take the matter up with the chief minister if the minister continued to back the mayor.
Kurnool city comprises 52 municipal divisions, of which 33 fall under the Kurnool assembly constituency, 16 under Panyam and 3 under Kodumuru. Initially, the YSRC held 44 seats, while TDP had eight. However, recently, four corporators from wards 22, 17, 30 and 38 defected to the TDP, and three more from wards 3, 6 and 13 joined the fold later, increasing the TDP’s strength to 15. To pass a no-confidence motion and claim the mayor’s post, the party needs 26 corporators.
Meanwhile, speculation is that if TDP gains control of the council, the mayor’s post would be given to a Muslim to strengthen the party’s minority support base in the city.
