The Hindu : Front Page : New twist to Guntur Mayor’s post issue

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New twist to Guntur Mayor’s post issue

Ramesh Susarla

Kanna Nagaraju throws the gauntlet at Rayapati Srinivas

A file photo

Guntur Mayor Kanna Nagaraju. —

GUNTUR: The race for the mayoral post has turned curious with present Mayor Kanna Nagaraju demanding the resignation of Rayapati Srinivas, MLC, if he desired to get his son R. Mohan Saikrishna, Corporator, elected as Mayor for the second half of the 5-year-term as per the agreement.

Indicating that he was in no mood to step down as Mayor after the April 5 deadline, Mr. Nagaraju said he would like to remind the Rayapatis that at the time of arrangement made before the Chief Minister regarding sharing of the Mayor’s term Dr. Srinivas had promised that he would not ask for another post within the family and that instead if the Mayor’s post was given to his son it would suffice. “If the Rayapatis want to stake claim for the Mayor’s post, let Dr. Srinivas resign his MLC post and ask for the Mayor’s post,” Mr. Nagaraju told The Hindu.

This statement carries a lot of significance as a no-confidence motion cannot be moved against the Mayor before completion of three years in office.

Corporators puzzled

Meanwhile, corporators were puzzled at the turn of events and kept their fingers crossed. If the Mayor resigns as per the original arrangement on April 5, the Commissioner will have to issue a notification calling for election for the Mayor’s post and Corporators will again play a major role in the elections of next mayor that opens a Pandora’s Box, which could tarnish the image of the Congress the city.

This has given rise to the likelihood of camp politics being played soon after the Bapatla visit of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday. Deputy Mayor Tadisetty Murali Mohan also is reported to be trying to get his Deputy Mayor’s term extended, that leaves sour taste in the mouth of Division 8 Corporator Sheik Md. Ghouse, son of Guntur-I MLA, Sheik Nambur Subhani’s son, who is supposed to become the next Deputy Mayor as per the original arrangement. The Rayapatis, their supporters and the Guntur-I MLA were, however, hopeful that Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy would stick to his word and ensure that the arrangement was implemented in toto.

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