This happened on Sunday when some of the YSRCP corporators joined the TDP during a meeting attended by MLAs and MPs belonging to the latter party.
Visakhapatnam: In major political development, seven YSRCP legal person from vizag city span to TDP Several TDP MLAs and MPs were present on Sunday.
In addition, during this same meeting, another group of five YSRCP corporators also expressed their intention to defect. Jane Sen during the same meeting.
These members are expected to officially join Jana Sena in the next four or five days as Pawan Kalyan is introduced as its president and deputy chief minister.
TDP and Jana Sena insiders revealed that around 20 YSRCP corporators may switch allegiance to NDA Alliance. This coming change is expected to greatly affect power relations within Vizag city and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
After 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections which NDA alliance won, so far several YSRCP councillors have started discussions with TDP and Jana Sena over defection. The move is likely to win the GVMC mayor’s post currently held by YSRCP for the TDP.
The last elections for GVMC took place in 2021 after nearly ten years since the previous council term ended with a total of 98 wards that saw majority in favour of the ruling party with a landslide victory (58). Their number later increased to 60 people.
Now, it looks like TDP will be eyeing on mayorship while taking in irritation caused by some disgruntled leaders from its rival party. It was maintained by NDA leaders that there had been no coercion while arguing that these members aligned themselves voluntarily with TDP and Jana Sena from among them.
However, things will not be easy for them. There was an earlier government order which prevents bringing no confidence motions before completion of the four year term by the parliament. The current GVMC council has been in office for only three years and three months, so the TDP may have to consider amendments or new regulations which will ensure that they stand a better chance of being considered as candidates for the next mayoral election.
The TDP’s possible success in capturing the mayor’s seat is reminiscent of what happened during the 2007 municipal elections. In that election, despite Congress being in power at the state level, LDF emerged with majority seats.
It was still then that Congress instrumentalized independent MPs to back it up to clinch mayorship. Similarly, this same kind of arrangement where ruling party holds mayors’ position with support from outsiders is likely to transpire within Vizag city in coming weeks and months.
Palla Srinivas, TDP State President who attended yesterday’s joining meet said, “Now those attracted by its development agenda are joining us”.
“They are convinced that aligning themselves with our party will invariably bring progress and developments to their respective constituencies,” said Srinivas. “When asked about how far these members can go towards taking over as Mayor and revising rules on four-year no-confidence motions at times; I may take a decision on this,” responded TDP supremo.
At ward 43, Ushasree P who expressed willingness to join Janasena said, “With change of government it is apparent that everyone will meddle into our constituency affairs. This will ensure better governance and more effective service delivery if I am elected under Jana Sena leadership- All i want is to fulfill my promises.”
To address the concerns of YSRCP corporators, an ex-IT Minster, Gudivada Amarnath conducted a coordination meeting on Saturday. The meeting was not attended by about 20 company members, and some companies that attended later chose to join other groups on Sunday.
A lot of effort has gone into post-election coordination through several meetings with the corporators, Vizag North Assembly constituency coordinator KK Raju said.
“These corporators have had many opportunities including being made candidates by the party and supporting them to attain political success. But their choice to go with TDP can be considered as purely personal,” Raju said.
