JSP Seeks Vizianagaram Deputy Mayor Post After Strong Civic Poll Showing

The Jana Sena Party is pressing its claim for the Deputy Mayor post of the Vizianagaram Municipal Corporation after winning six out of the ten segments it contested in the city.

The Race For The Post

JSP hopes to secure the position as a reward for backing its major alliance partner during the elections. Competition is high, however, because the TDP won 35 out of 48 contested seats and many of its senior corporators have also asked party leaders for the post. Meanwhile, the BJP, which won three divisions, is also in the race and points to its vote bank as a key factor that helped the TDP easily win the mayoral seat. TDP Vizianagaram Parliamentary wing coordinator Gurana Ayyalu has sought the Deputy Mayor post for his wife, Gurana Radhika, who is the 30th ward corporator. Mr. Ayyalu and Ms. Radhika recently met TDP MLA Aditi Gajapathi Raju to thank her for the NDA's victory in the civic polls. Mr. Ayyalu has previously served in the Praja Rajyam Party and has ties with film actor Chiranjeevi and JSP President Pawan Kalyan, and he has written to his party high command about his past service. A senior TDP leader stated that the TDP high command will make a final decision after holding talks with leaders from both the JSP and the BJP.

Context

Civic body elections in India often involve seat-sharing arrangements and post-election negotiations between allied political parties. Deciding key posts like a Deputy Mayor requires balancing the local wins and contributions of each partner party in the coalition.