Visakhapatnam: A no-confidence motion may soon be introduced in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) council against current mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari of YSRCP, as she completed her four-year term. The political landscape in GVMC has shifted significantly, with several corporators switching allegiance following the NDA alliance’s victory in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections.
Political Realignments and Power Struggles
Despite YSRCP’s win in the 2021 Vizag civic body elections, many corporators have joined TDP and Jana Sena. However, rules prevented a no-confidence motion until the council completed four years. With this restriction now lifted, TDP, which has been eyeing the mayor’s post, may achieve its goal in the coming weeks.
In the 98-ward council elections, TDP secured 29 wards, Jana Sena won three, and BJP one. After the NDA alliance’s success in 2024, 11 YSRCP corporators have joined TDP, and seven have moved to Jana Sena. An additional 10 YSRCP corporators are expected to switch sides, giving NDA a strong edge. Moreover, most ex-officio members, including GVMC MLAs, MPs, and MLCs, belong to NDA parties, increasing the likelihood of a successful motion.
Contentions and Counterarguments
NDA corporators from TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena claim their voices have been ignored in the council and their wards neglected in development projects. Conversely, YSRCP leaders argue that their 2021 electoral mandate reflects public trust, and corporator defections may tarnish TDP’s image and Vizag’s political stability. They maintain that significant progress has been made in the city’s development over the past four years.
Electoral Dynamics and Future Implications
Among Andhra Pradesh’s local body elections from 2019-2024, the GVMC election was a rare success for TDP. YSRCP secured 44% of the vote share, while TDP garnered 34% and Jana Sena 8%. With the shifting political equation, the fate of Visakhapatnam’s mayoral leadership is poised for a crucial turning point.
