Elections to Kakinada Municipal Corporation likely after September

Kakinada: Elections to the Kakinada Municipal Corporation which have been kept pending for the last six years either because of merger of some panchayats, issues pending in court or reluctance of the ruling dispensation are likely to be held shortly.
This has become clear after the State government informed the High Court that it would complete the arrangements for polls by September 24.
The court which considered a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a former Municipal Councilor Chitnidi Narayanamurthy challenging the government’s decision to merge S Achutapuram, Teachers’ Colony, Turangi, Swaminagar, Ramanayyapeta, Valasapakala, Vakalapudi, Indrapalem and Chidiga villages in Kakinada rural mandal, after Ramanayyapeta, Indrapalem, Valasapakala and Chidiga gram panchayats adopted resolutions opposing the decision, pulled up the government for the delayed polls. Some others had also approached the court.
The court also strongly questioned the government for the delay in holding the municipal elections. At the same time it said the government had a right to de-notify the panchayats and order merger of the panchayats. This order has given rise to hopes that the polls would be held soon.
Meanwhile, municipal officials have written to the government seeking a clarification on the status of Indrapalem and Chidiga panchayats in the GO after orders were issued merging Ramanayyapeta, Valasapakala, Vakalapudi and Achyutapuram panchayats in the Kakinada corporation limits.
Achyutapuram had already been merged in the past. Officials sought clarity on its inclusion in the GO. Besides, there was no clarity on the pending Indrapalem and Chidiga panchayats. If elections are held after the merger of the three panchayats, the number of voters could reach 3 lakh mark.
It may be recalled that the term of the civic body had ended on September 29, 2010. The then government planned to conduct the election after merging the adjoining nine panchayats in the corporation. Since then the special officer has been running the civic body. It was during the last elections that Kakinada became a corporation, with Kavikonda Saroja (Congress) becoming the Mayor.
In the indirect polls, the Congress won 33 seats, TDP 15 and Independents two. In the event of direct elections, both TDP and YSRCP hope to do well.
However, if the crucial BJP votes are to be secured by TDP, that party has to be accommodated. Otherwise, there is a danger of the party revolting.
The city residents are keenly awaiting the polls in view of inclusion of Kakinada in the list of smart cities. Various parties are looking forward to the polls as the Centre has sanctioned Rs 300 crore for the city’s development. More funds are likely to be announced for the smart city.

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