Visakhapatnam Mayor polls: TDP's Ganta Srinivasa Rao predicts decisive win

Bhimli TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao has expressed confidence that the party will win the Mayor’s post in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections with a large majority. He was speaking to the media at his camp office on Tuesday.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the people of Visakhapatnam have consistently supported Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He cited that even during the YSR Congress Party’s (YSRCP) statewide sweep in 2019, the city stood by Mr. Naidu. He also noted that in the 2024 elections, the Gajuwaka, Bhimili, and Pendurthi Assembly constituencies gave the first, second, and fourth-highest majorities in the State, respectively.

The MLA attributed the government's development efforts in Visakhapatnam, particularly in IT, tourism, and real estate, as reasons for the party's expected performance. He also mentioned that grama sabhas in 79 village panchayats across Bhimili Rural, Anandapuram, Padmanabham, and Pendurthi mandals have passed resolutions favouring merger with the GVMC. A similar decision was already communicated via a letter for three mandals in the Bhimili constituency.

When asked whether his son, Ganta Raviteja, would contest for the Mayor’s post, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said there is ample time to select a candidate and that the party leadership’s decision would be final and binding.

The GVMC elections are held to elect the Mayor and councillors for the municipal corporation, which oversees civic infrastructure and services in Visakhapatnam. The political landscape in the city has seen shifting alliances, with the TDP and YSRCP being the major contenders. The TDP, currently in power in the State under the coalition with Jana Sena and BJP, is aiming to consolidate its position in the city.