The mayor is elected democratically. There will be camp politics for electing mayor and chairperson: Ponnam
BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar (File Photo)
Warangal: A contest for the mayor’s post in the 66-member Karimnagar Municipal Corporation has intensified ahead of the indirect election scheduled on February 16, with the Congress and the BJP stepping up efforts to secure support from independents and smaller parties.
The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 30 seats but remains short of the majority mark of 34-35, including ex-officio votes. The Congress won 14 seats, while the BRS secured nine, AIMIM three and independents eight, making their support crucial.
Amid reports of camps being organised to prevent cross-voting, the BJP alleged that Congress leaders were hosting corporators at a private resort near Hyderabad. Senior Congress leaders, including ministers D. Sridhar Babu and Tummala Nageswara Rao, are stated to have held discussions with independents and party members.
Two of the four independents who had earlier extended support to the BJP are reported to have shifted their backing to the Congress. Sai Jyothi, an All India Forward Bloc corporator who recently joined the BJP, released a video stating she would vote as per her decision. The development led to protests by BJP workers.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the BJP does not have the numbers to claim the mayor’s post and referred to a similar situation in Nizamabad. BRS leader Gangula Kamalakar said his party’s nine corporators were being consulted and that support would be extended based on local considerations.
He stated that the state government was not interfering in the election process but added that as district minister he favoured coordination with a Congress-led council. The outcome will depend on the final alignment of independents and smaller groups during the vote.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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