Vizag Deputy Mayor election to be held on May 19

Deputy Mayor election in GVMC on May 19, with TDP and JSP leaders deliberating on suitable candidates.

The Deputy Mayor election to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) council will be held on May 19, as finalised by District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, on Tuesday. The development comes following the NDA’s win in the no-confidence motion against Deputy Mayor Jiyyani Sridhar of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) last month.

Serious deliberations are under way among the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) leaders regarding the selection of a suitable candidate for the position. With just five days remaining, the NDA alliance is yet to finalise a name, as multiple recommendations and caste considerations are being taken into consideration.

According to the sources, a TDP corporator from Gajuwaka has emerged as a leading contender, following good backing from a senior TDP leader. Another senior TDP leader has proposed nominating a woman corporator from the Yadava community, in an effort to balance representation following the removal of the former Mayor, who belonged to the same community. Additionally, another TDP leader has urged the leadership to consider a candidate from Bheemunipatnam.

On the JSP front, a party leader has reportedly recommended two names to the high command, requesting that one of them be considered for the Deputy Mayor position. However, internal conflicts reportedly surfaced within the JSP, as several leaders expressed resistance to nominate a former YSRCP member who recently joined the party. Instead, two JSP members, who have been with the party since its inception, are being strongly considered for the role. Besides, all this, the JSP has been strongly requesting the NDA leaders to consider them for the position.

“The Deputy Mayor post should be allotted to the JSP. The party played a crucial role in the recently held no-confidence motions. At present, we have 14 corporators and three ex-officio members. If the position is given to a JSP candidate, it would serve as a significant morale boost for our cadre within the corporation limits,” said a senior JSP corporator from the city.

While some TDP leaders have indicated that the second Deputy Mayor post, which will be vacant in July will be definitely offered to the JSP, members of the JSP are firmly pushing for the first Deputy Mayor post.

“The term of the second Deputy Mayor will end in July. After the no-confidence motion and subsequent election, the position will have less than five months left. It would not serve much purpose,” a JSP leader said.