GVMC poll turns prestigious for YSRCP, TDP

Visakhapatnam,March 6 The elections to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), the largest in Andhra Pradesh has turned prestigious for the ruling YSR Congress Party in the backdrop of its announcement to make the city the Executive capital of the State.

Star campaigner of YSRCP, Rajya Sabha member V. Vijayasai Reddy during his canvassing for party candidates has been promising that the city would become a world-class city if they are given a decisive mandate. Visakhapatnam is the main industrial and commercial hub of the State.

On the other hand, for the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party, it has emerged as a big challenge to put up a good show after seeing exodus of its leaders to YSRCP and receiving a severe drubbing in the local body polls across the State including Kuppam represented by its president and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The corporation, which has 98 words with nearly two million population, has a massive budgetary allocation. GVMC budget was fixed at Rs.4,171 crore during 2020-21, accounting for an increase by Rs.337 crore over the previous year. The city is also funded by the Centre and an agency from France for implementation of smart city project. The real estate price in the city has witnessed a quantum jump following an announcement by the government to make it the Executive capital a year ago.

While YSRCP appears to be sitting pretty, TDP which used to have a good hold in the city, is plagued by dissensions. During the 2019 Assembly elections, TDP put up a good show by winning all the segments in the city. However, out of four in its kitty, Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar defected to the YSRCP. Former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao has resigned from Assembly membership in protest against Centre's decision to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. There were rumours that he may join the ruling party though he said there was no truth in such reports.

Incidentally, civic issues have taken a back seat with RINL privatisation also becoming a hot topic during the canvassing. Chandrababu Naidu during his roadshows on Friday alleged that a vote for YSRCP would be a vote for BJP-led NDA to privatise RINL. He said not a single big ticket project had come to Vizag after YSRCP formed the government.

Industrial pollution particularly after the gas leakage at LG Polymers last year and the problem of clogging drains have also been figured during the door-to-door campaigning by the candidates.

The election to GVMC is being held after a gap of 14 years due to court cases against merger of 10 villages from Anakapalle and Bheemili with the corporation.

The contest is multi-cornered in all the wards as TDP, CPI, CPI (M), BJP-Jana Sena, Bahujan Samaj Party and several independents and rebels are in fray.

Election was last held on February 19, 2007. An estimated 17.52 lakh voters will cast their franchise to decide the fate of 566 candidates. Women voters constitute 49.7% of the electorate.

The officials have notified 1,712 polling stations and identified 330 as sensitive and 185 as hypersensitive stations. About 10,600 personnel have been requisitioned on poll duty. 61 candidates filed their papers for this GVMC polls