Woman Mayor to lead civic body for third time

Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is set to witness another woman poised to occupy the mayoral chair for the third time.

The reservation list released by the state government on Monday has allotted the prestigious mayoral post to the Woman (General) category, setting the stage for an intense political battle among the major parties ahead of the forthcoming civic body elections.

The reservation announcement has triggered fresh political calculations, with the ruling alliance parties and opposition gearing up to identify candidates capable of securing the most coveted post. With the government opting for a direct election to the mayoral position, the selection of the right candidate is expected to become a crucial political exercise.

Since its inception, Visakhapatnam’s municipal administration has witnessed several political transitions, with leaders from different parties steering the civic body through various phases of the city’s growth. While male candidates dominated the mayoral office for much of its history, women have also made their mark on the city’s civic landscape.

In 1981, BJP candidate NSN Reddy became the Mayor of the Visakha Municipal Corporation (VMC), serving a five-year term. His tenure marked an important chapter in the city’s municipal administration. He was succeeded by Telugu Desam Party leader Durvasula Venkata Subba Rao, popularly known as DV Subba Rao, who served as mayor from 1987 to 1992. His contribution to the city’s development still continues to feature prominently in discussions about Visakhapatnam’s civic and political history. His tenure is remembered for setting benchmarks in municipal administration and urban development.

Following his term, the city went without municipal elections for three years. In 1995, Sabbam Hari was elected Mayor on an Indian National Congress ticket, ushering in another phase of Congress leadership in the civic body. The next major milestone came when Congress leader Rajana Ramani became the first woman Mayor of the then VMC, now GVMC. Her elevation marked a crucial moment in the corporation’s political history, breaking the male dominance that characterised the mayoral office.

After a phase of ‘no-election’ between 2005 and 2007, Congress leader Pulusu Janardhana Rao assumed the mayoral position. The Congress subsequently maintained a strong presence in the civic body, with its candidates occupying the Mayor’s office during successive terms.

However, the political landscape changed dramatically when municipal elections were held again in 2021, following a prolonged gap since the previous election cycle. With the YSRCP in power in the state, Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari became the city’s second woman Mayor.

Hari Venkata Kumari’s tenure, however, did not run its full course. She was removed from office following a no-confidence motion amid growing dissatisfaction among an army of corporators.

The political developments surrounding her removal marked a turning point in the corporation’s administration, reshaping the balance of power within the civic body. Allegations of corruption and dissatisfaction with her functioning were raised during the political confrontation.

The successful no-confidence motion opened the way for a fresh political contest over the leadership of the corporation, with the alliance parties seeking to consolidate their position and secure the Mayoral office.

Following which, Peela Srinivasa Rao served as Mayor from the alliance for 11 months.

With the latest reservation announcement favouring a woman candidate from the general category, the race for the Mayoral post has gained renewed momentum. The TDP, BJP and JSP, which constitute the ruling alliance in Andhra Pradesh, are expected to play an imperative role in determining the next mayor candidate.

The upcoming civic elections are expected to be more than just a contest for control of the Urban Local Body. They will determine the political leadership of one of Andhra Pradesh’s most important urban centres at a time when Visakhapatnam continues to expand its economic, industrial and infrastructural footprint. With a woman once again set to occupy the Mayoral chair, the GVMC is poised to enter a new chapter in its history. The million dollar question now is which party will succeed in securing the mandate and who will emerge as the city’s next mayor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasu Potnuru

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Potnuru Srinivasa Rao (Vasu Potnuru) is an experienced journalist specialised in politics, sports, crime, general topics and tribal stories. With 18 years of writing and reporting expertise, he contributes to The Hans India's editorial department as Principal Correspondent based in Visakhapatnam. Vasu Potnuru completed his Bachelor of Business Management. Earlier, he worked as a staff reporter in a leading Telugu vernacular. During free time, the journalist spends time listening to music, playing cricket and shuttle badminton. Vasu Potnuru, an accomplished writer, honed his expertise in various genres such as politics, crime, sports and general topics. He received an award from the HYBIZ Media Awards for the Best Rural Story in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Also, he bagged the Best Crime Reporter Award in Visakhapatnam. He serves in different unions of working journalists and contributes to service activities.

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