Corporators express dissatisfaction with Tirupati Mayor

Tirumala: Following the formation of the coalition government, changes are happening across all municipalities and corporations, and Tirupati is no exception. Corporators in the city are reportedly preparing for a no-confidence motion against the Mayor. Tirupati, an important spiritual city, has over 3 lakh voters and 50 divisions. In the corporation elections held during the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSCP) had used financial and political influence to ensure that only 25% of the divisions had elections.

There were reports of documents being seized from those attempting to submit nominations for the elections, and the police were present but could not take action. After the lockdown due to COVID, elections were postponed. When the elections eventually took place, YSCP corporators secured 48 out of 50 divisions, with only one division going to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). One corporator from a division even sought legal recourse, which resulted in no election in that division.

In those elections, Dr. Shireesh, from the BC (Yadav) community, was elected Mayor, while Mudra Narayana, from the Kapu social group, was made Deputy Mayor. In a significant development, YSCP's government issued a Government Order (GO) for a second Deputy Mayor, with Bhuman Abhinay Reddy, son of then-Tirupati MLA Bhuman Karunakar Reddy, being appointed. Over the past four years, YSCP corporators did not raise their voices and controlled council meetings without any media access or public participation.

Corporators are now discussing how the Mayor has been approving construction permits for buildings illegally and why no action was taken against the officials in the past. There have been internal discussions on removing her from office through a no-confidence motion. The corporators are preparing to bring the motion during the council meeting in March. There are also discussions on the benefits of holding the Mayor's position in the remaining eight months of her tenure. The final outcome will likely unfold by March.

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