Guntur: There seems to be confusion in the ruling TDP over the Guntur mayor’s post. After the resignation of Kavati Shiva Nag Manohar Naidu of YSRCP last month, the govt named deputy mayor Sheikh Sajila as interim in-charge. Though over two weeks have passed since then, the TDP is yet to take a final call on the issue. The govt has already sent a proposal to the state election commission to hold the by-election for mayor’s post.
Union minister and local MP Pemmasani Chandrasekhar told corporators that the party leadership is in favour of TDP’s floor leader in the council and senior leader Kovelamudi Ravindra (Nani) as the next mayor. The name of Vemulapalli Sriram Prasad, a two-time corporator from the Kamma community, is also being heard for the post. However, HRD minister and party’s national general secretary Nara Lokesh is believed to have cleared the name of Nani.
Nani was a strong contender for the Guntur West assembly ticket in the 2024 elections. He could not get the ticket as the party wanted to field a BC candidate, which helped new face Galla Madhavi secure the nomination and win the seat. Nani has been with the party for over two decades. TDP requires the support of at least 8-10 corporators from YSRCP during the by-election. The party won 10 seats out 57, YSRCP won 45 divisions, while Jana Sena won two seats. However, about 15 corporators from YSRCP switched sides to TDP, bringing YSRCP’s score to 30. The TDP alliance won all six seats in the standing council elections held recently with the backing of turncoat corporators.
