Mayoral contest set for a close finish in Visakhapatnam

NDA and YSRCP candidates make a final push as cross-voting fears, internal differences and local political equations add to the uncertainty; direct election for Mayor makes the contest particularly keen

The high-decibel campaign for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections ended at 5 p.m. on Friday, setting the stage for polling on Sunday (November 1).

Though campaigning was briefly disrupted by the devastation caused by Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab on October 27 and 28, candidates made a final push in the last 48 hours before the deadline.

While elections to the posts of corporators are generally considered routine, with voters historically tending to favour the ruling dispensation, the Mayoral contest appears headed for a close finish.

The contest is shaping up as a direct battle between Mukka Sravani of the NDA (TDP-JSP-BJP) and Varudu Kalyani of the YSRCP. Both candidates are young women with impressive educational qualifications and considerable political experience.

Ms. Kalyani holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University and an MBA. Ms. Sravani is a doctor of physiotherapy. Neither is a political novice.

Ms. Kalyani entered politics in 2001 after being elected as a ZPTC member from Saravakota. She later contested the Lok Sabha election from Srikakulam on a Praja Rajyam Party ticket and was subsequently nominated by the YSRCP to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council.

Ms. Sravani, who is relatively younger, entered active politics in 2015 under the TDP banner and was elected a corporator in the previous elections. Coming from a staunch TDP family, she also carries forward her father's political legacy.

Direct elections

What makes the contest particularly keen is the decision to hold a direct election for the Mayor's post, allowing voters to elect their Mayor directly. GVMC has had seven Mayors so far, of whom only three were directly elected: D.V. Subba Rao in 1987, Sabbam Hari in 1995 and Rajana Ramani in 2000.

At the time, the civic body was confined largely to the core city, with around 50 wards, and electoral outcomes depended considerably on the standing and reputation of individual candidates.

Mr. Subba Rao was regarded as a legal luminary, Mr. Hari was a seasoned politician, and Ms. Ramani held a Ph.D.

Since then, the city's municipal limits have expanded considerably through successive reorganisations, from 50 to 98 and subsequently to 120 wards, bringing rural pockets and outlying areas such as Bheemunipatnam and Anakapalle within its ambit.

Consequently, the electoral contest is now shaped more by local political equations and the influence of regional leaders, including MLAs and MPs. Visakhapatnam has traditionally remained a TDP stronghold, holding its ground even during the YSRCP sweep in the 2019 Assembly elections.

Manifestos

The manifestos released by the two sides have several common promises, including improved drinking water supply, sanitation, healthcare and urban liveability. However, neither candidate has offered a clear roadmap to address the city's long-term water crisis or meet the projected demand from upcoming data centres. Both have touched upon these critical issues only briefly.

They have also been largely non-committal on rising air pollution, which poses a growing threat to public health, and worsening traffic congestion, a major concern for residents.

Cross-voting concerns

The possibility of cross-voting is a major concern for both political camps, particularly the TDP, fuelling apprehensions that the Mayoral contest could go down to the wire.

The NDA partners -- TDP, Jana Sena Party (JSP) and BJP -- reached a seat-sharing agreement after considerable negotiations, with the JSP contesting 32 seats, the TDP 77 and the BJP 11. However, questions remain over whether the bonhomie displayed by the leadership has translated into cooperation at the grassroots level.

Despite public displays of unity, reports of internal friction persist. Dissatisfaction among ticket aspirants who were denied nominations, particularly TDP loyalists, could also affect the coalition's prospects.

Nevertheless, the confidence displayed by Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, who has been spearheading the NDA campaign, suggests that the alliance believes it has addressed its internal differences and is confident of edging past the YSRCP. The NDA is banking on a repeat of its performance in the 2024 Assembly elections.

With counting scheduled for November 3, Visakhapatnam remains the focus of political attention until the results are declared.