Vizag gets 2nd woman Mayor after tussle among aspirants

Visakhapatnam: AFTER a hectic lobbying, a first-time corporator Golagani Venkata Hari Kumari on Thursday was elected as the Mayor of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) - the largest urban civic body in Andhra Pradesh. After assuming office, she said development of Visakhapatnam as a beautiful city with high happiness index by improving the civic amenities and executing smart city projects on a fast-track basis would be her priority. She said she would review the drinking water supply position shortly keeping in view the summer demand.

The YSR Congress Party, which was supposed to announce the name of Mayor at Tadepalli on Wednesday, had to put it off due to pressure from various groups. Vamsi Srinivas Yadav, who had uncontested unsuccessfully for Assembly elections twice, was denied the ticket in 2019 elections and tipped off as the hot favourite. However, the group belonging to him was disappointed over denial of the coveted post to him. Sources say he may be offered Visakhapatnam Metro Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Chairman's post.

The Mayor candidate was finalised after the party leaders left the choice to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Party national general secretary V Vijayasai Reddy campaigned vigorously in the GVMC polls held after a gap of 14 years.

Hari Kumari, a Yadava and second-time woman Mayor of the city after Rajana Ramani, former MLA, was sworn in at a simple ceremony conducted at the new council hall. She was administered the oath of office and secrecy by District Collector and GVMC Special Officer V Vinay Chand in the presence of GVMC Commissioner S Nagalakshmi.

Incidentally, Srinivas Yadav, city unit president of YSRCP, proposed Hari Kumari's name, which was seconded by others. The new council would have a tough time ahead due to the proposal for rationalisation of property tax and revenue deficit being faced by the GVMC. The municipal corporation has a key role to play with the government deciding to develop Visakhapatnam as the Executive capital as part of focus on decentralised development. GVMC had a budget of little over Rs 4,000 crore during the current fiscal.

In the elections held for 98 wards, YSRCP could establish a clear majority by winning 58 seats leaving 30 to Telugu Desam Party, three to Jana Sena, one each to BJP, CPI and CPI (M). Four independents emerged victorious. To accommodate all the main contenders, the ruling party will soon appoint another Deputy Mayor, chairman of standing committee and co-opt a few members.