Women’s quota for GVMC mayor’s post triggers lobbying; leaders push wives and daughters

A view of the entrance to the GVMC office in Visakhapatnam. IN PARADISE / THE HINDU | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

Following the announcement that the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) mayor’s post has been reserved for the Women (General) category for local body elections, aspiring women candidates from Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) have started lobbying their respective party leaderships for the coveted post.

Several aspirants are reportedly seeking the nomination. The TDP is seeking to secure the mayor’s post, citing its strong electoral record in major urban areas of Visakhapatnam over the past two decades.

The fight for the position also becomes important because, according to the proposed electoral process, the mayor will be elected directly by voters, unlike the previous system, when elected corporators chose the mayor from among themselves.

Before the reservations were announced, several former MLAs and senior leaders from the alliance parties were said to be interested in the local body elections themselves. But with the post of mayor now reserved for women in the General category, some leaders are believed to be considering filling the position with their wives, daughters or other eligible family members.

Under the TDP, family members of a senior leader who belongs to the Backward Classes (BC) community are among those being considered. Spouses of two former MLAs are also said to be in the fray. Besides, the party is said to be exploring the possibility of fielding the wife of a prominent young leader from Visakhapatnam, whose family has a strong political background.

A former TDP corporator who is the daughter of a senior party leader from the Visakhapatnam North Assembly constituency is also among the aspirants since the exercise began.

“Visakhapatnam has been a stronghold for TDP. Even though YSRCP registered a wave in the 2019 elections, TDP won all the four core assembly constituencies in Visakhapatnam city. So it is only fair that the party seeks the post of Mayor,” said a senior TDP leader.

The BJP, which is expected to contest 10 to 15 seats in the local body elections, is also keen on claiming the mayor’s post. The daughter of a senior BJP leader who has been active in politics is learned to be interested in the position. Party leaders are reportedly considering the possibility of presenting her candidacy as part of the alliance talks.

The JSP is also seeking to secure a mayoral nomination and is understood to be seeking an opportunity for one of its female leaders to run for the post. The former corporator and another active JSP leader from the Visakhapatnam North constituency is said to be getting support from sections of the party leadership.

Several YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders are also lobbying for the mayoral nomination and are believed to have conveyed their interest to the party’s top leadership. Some party leaders are reportedly suggesting the candidature of a woman from the family of a senior YSRCP Uttarandhra leader as the party weighs its options.

A meeting between YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and local leaders and aspirants on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) is expected to provide more clarity on the party’s strategy, according to local leaders.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 18:12 IST