YSRC finalises ZP chairmen of three north coastal districts in AP

VISAKHAPATNAM: Ruling YSRC has come close to finalising its candidates for posts of zilla parishad chairpersons from north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.

In Vizianagaram, the name of Majji Srinivasa Rao (Chinna Srinu) has been almost finalised. It is expected to be formally announced on Saturday morning, a few hours before the elections. Srinu represents Merakamudidam in the district. Srinu, the nephew of minister Botsa Satyanrayana, had been elected unanimously from Merakamudidam territorial constituency.

In Srikakulam, ZPTC from Kaviti Piria Vijaya has been finalised by YSRC as zilla parishad chief. She is the wife of Piria Sairaj, former MLA from Ichapuram.
However, suspense continues in Visakhapatnam over the choice of candidate.

Ruling party leaders had at a meeting on Thursday evening proposed the name of J. Subhadra, ZPTC from Munchingput. She succeeded in sidelining strong contenders K Sivaratnam, ZTPC from GK Veedhi and Dr. M.V. Lakshmi, ZTPC of G. Madugula.

“All elected scheduled tribe ZPTCs from the agency will meet at 8:30 a.m. in Visakhapatnam on Friday. We will formally elect the chairperson after finalisation of the candidate,” said Paderu MLA K. Bhagyalakshmi. She refused to comment when asked why there has been no consensus in the party over selection of chairperson even after two meetings.

“I proposed a name, which will help me in strengthening my position in the constituency,’’ the MLA said without naming the candidate. Sources said it is she who strongly backed Subhadra.

Despite sweeping the parishad elections, ruling YSRC conceded four MPP posts to independents in Visakhapatnam agency. Korra Padma has been elected as president of mandal parishad from G. Madugula (ST women), Vanathala Babu Rao from Chintapalle (ST), Rajapalli Usha Rani from Araku Valley (ST women) and Bonda Varahalamma from Peda Bayulu (ST).
The district has 39 mandal parishads.