Daijiworld Media Network – Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Apr 12: In an unprecedented move in Andhra Pradesh politics, both the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) have moved their corporators abroad ahead of the upcoming no-confidence vote against Visakhapatnam mayor G Hari Venkata Kumari. This unusual tactic is aimed at preventing defections and ensuring their respective party’s strength in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) council.
The no-confidence motion is scheduled for April 19, and both parties are employing all means to maintain control over their corporators. YSRCP has shifted its corporators to Sri Lanka from their previous location in Karnataka, while TDP has moved its corporators to Malaysia from Bhogapuram, where they had been staying earlier. The TDP corporators are reported to have traveled in two separate batches, accompanied by their families.
This move has left political analysts astounded, as shifting corporators to foreign countries is unheard of in Indian politics. The strategic relocations come as the TDP, which is in power in the state, seeks to consolidate support ahead of the critical vote.
YSRCP is desperately trying to defeat the no-confidence motion, which would remove Mayor Kumari and weaken their grip on the GVMC. Currently, YSRCP holds 59 seats in the 98-member GVMC, while TDP has 29, along with allies Jana Sena (3) and BJP (1). The CPI and CPI(M) have one corporator each.
Over the past weeks, TDP has reportedly managed to lure around 20 YSRCP corporators to its camp, further strengthening its position. Jana Sena’s strength is also said to have increased to 11 corporators. With 97 corporators eligible to vote in the upcoming no-confidence motion, TDP and its allies claim they have the support of 73 corporators, including the 48 from TDP, 11 from Jana Sena, and 2 from BJP. They also hold the support of 12 ex-officio members.
The ruling coalition needs 74 votes to pass the motion, and they are looking to further consolidate their numbers by reaching out to disillusioned corporators from the opposition. There are reports of dissidence within YSRCP, with some corporators reportedly unhappy with the leadership, and a few even skipping the Sri Lanka camp.
In another development, NDA corporators have submitted a no-confidence motion notice against deputy mayor J Sridhar, with 57 corporators having signed the petition. A meeting to discuss this motion has been scheduled for April 26, further intensifying the political battle within the GVMC.