Visakhapatnam GVMC Polls: Polling Material Reaches Distribution Centres

Race for GVMC polls intensifies in Visakhapatnam, administration fine-tunes logistics

The administration has begun moving polling material into designated distribution centres while GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg inspects proposed sites and directs officials to finalise transportation routes.

The arrangements come as preparations for the ensuing local body polls gather momentum across the city. The district administration and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) are working on the administrative and logistical requirements, while political parties are strengthening their grassroots networks ahead of the polls.

Polling material reaches distribution centres

Polling material has started reaching the city and is being stored at designated distribution centres, adding to the election atmosphere. The movement of material marks a further step in the preparations for the conduct of the polls, even as the administration continues to work out the arrangements needed across the city.

District Collector Abhishikt Kishore and GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg have been holding meetings with representatives of various political parties. The meetings are part of efforts to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly and in an orderly manner.

Garg recently inspected several locations proposed for setting up polling material distribution centres in different zones. The locations included the Government Polytechnic College and the SVLN Zilla Parishad Boys High School at Gopalapatnam.

During the inspections, Garg directed officials to finalise polling routes. The routes are intended to facilitate the timely transportation of election material from the distribution centres to the respective polling stations.

The focus on distribution centres and polling routes places the movement of election material at the centre of the administration’s preparations. The district administration and the GVMC are also handling the broader advance planning required for the local body polls.

Parties step up ward-level activity

Political activity has intensified among the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena Party (JSP) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Senior party leaders, MLAs and election coordinators have been holding a series of meetings with cadres.

Former corporators and ward-level leaders have also started stepping up their activities ahead of the elections. In several suburban areas, former corporators are reportedly trying to complete pending civic works and strengthen their connect with residents.

The expansion of the GVMC from the existing 98 wards to 120 wards has opened up considerable scope for new political aspirants. Former corporators are seeking to retain their political influence and secure nominations in several existing wards.

At the same time, a number of new aspirants are reportedly approaching their respective party leaderships for tickets from the newly created wards. The addition of new wards has therefore widened the field for those seeking an electoral role within the corporation.

YSRCP fills organisational vacancy

The YSRCP has made an organisational appointment in Bheemunipatnam following the resignation of its coordinator, Majji Srinivasa Rao. The party has appointed Botcha Anusha, daughter of YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana, to fill the organisational vacuum.

Anusha recently met party cadres at PM Palem for the first time after her appointment. Her meeting with the cadre comes as the YSRCP, like the other major parties, steps up organisational activity ahead of the polls.

Mayor’s post draws interest

The contest for the Mayor’s post has also become an area of interest within the parties. Several senior TDP leaders who had not secured prominent positions during the 2023 general election period are seeking an opportunity to lead the GVMC as Mayor, sources said.

Some of these leaders are reportedly backed by MLAs and other senior party functionaries. A section of younger aspirants is also said to be lobbying for the post.

TDP Andhra Pradesh president Palla Srinivasa Rao recently indicated that the selection of candidates would be taken up only after the reservation equations were finalised. He said the candidates would be selected jointly by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, JSP president K. Pawan Kalyan and BJP President P.V.N. Madhav.

Interest in the Mayor’s post is not limited to the TDP. On the YSRCP side, sources said some former MLAs were keen on entering the GVMC electoral fray and were willing to contest for the Mayor’s post.

Their participation would be subject to the approval of YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, according to the sources. The final selection process in the TDP will also depend on the reservation equations, as indicated by Palla Srinivasa Rao. Meanwhile, the administration’s work on distribution centres, polling routes and election material continues alongside the parties’ ward-level mobilisation.

Source: The Hindu