Karthika is new GHMC Mayor

Serious differences of opinion among Congress legislators and MPs over the original shortlist of nominees for the GHMC Mayor’s post seem to have come as a blessing in disguise for Banda Kartika Reddy, who pipped other aspirants to wrest the coveted post.

Nowhere in the picture till a few hours before the election to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s post, Ms. Kartika Reddy, who represents Tarnaka division, reportedly banked on her credentials and educational qualifications to beat the others.
Helping hand

The clash of interests between MPs and MLAs from the city over the candidature of Harivardhan Reddy and Vengal Rao and a helping hand from YSR’s close aide, K.V. P. Ramachandra Rao, tilted the balance in her favour.

According to party sources, APCC president D. Srinivas on Friday morning hosted a breakfast meeting where a strong pitch was made that a corporator belonging to a Backward Class community should be elevated as Mayor. But, equally strong lobbying by other leaders resulted in the decision that the post should go to a corporator from the general category.

The candidature of Mr. Harivardhan Reddy, a supporter of Health Minister Danam Nagender, and Vengal Rao was reportedly opposed by B. Raji Reddy, Bhikshapati Yadav, Jayasudha and Kuna Srisailam Goud, all legislators. They said Mr. Harivardhan Reddy had recently defected from the TRS.

Vengal Rao’s name was opposed on the ground that he was a follower of late P.Janardhan Reddy.
Leaders’ backing

At this stage, the name of Ms. Kartika Reddy reportedly cropped up and some MPs and MLAs readily agreed to her candidature.

Immediately, it was sent for clearance to the high command which lost no time in approving her name and putting an end to the political jockeying.

The new Mayor, who is a post graduate in sociology, was reported to have sent a letter to AICC president Sonia Gandhi with a plea that a woman should head the prestigious corporation.

Moreover, the city had three BC MPs and a SC MP besides two BC Ministers and it would be appropriate if a woman was made the Mayor, the letter suggested.