Has lady luck smiled on Gunda Prakash?

Warangal: Ending weeks of suspense and speculation surrounding Mayor post, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leadership appears to have zeroed in on who will be the next first citizen of the tri-cities of Warangal-Hanamkonda-Kazipet.

Finally, lady luck smiled on Gunda Prakash Rao, the four-time Corporator, with the TRS leadership preferring his candidature for the post, if sources are to be believed. Although there are quite a few Corporators vying for the post, Prakash Rao's vast experience and loyalty drove the party leadership to choose him. He represents 26th Division in the GWMC.

The 65-year-old Prakash Rao, who belongs Arya Vysya, a powerful community in Warangal, had worked as TRS State secretary twice. His passion for politics is second to none as has been associated with politics right from his student days. Prakash Rao who started his political career with Congress held various positions.

"The idiom - always a bridesmaid, never a bride - suits well for Prakash Rao. In fact he would have become a MLA long back but things never went in right perspective to him," a senior Congress leader told The Hans India.

Although the likes of Vaddiraj Ganesh (27th Division), Boinapally Ranjith Rao (48th Division), Nagamalla Jhansi (56th Division), in-charge Mayor Khaja Sirajuddin, Gundu Aashritha Reddy (24th Division) and D Vijay Bhaskar (50th Division) were in the race for the post, Prakash Rao's seniority might have forced the TRS leadership to pick him, he said.

On the other hand, caste-wise equation has also favoured his candidature. It may be mentioned here that Vysyas are one of the highly populated communities in Warangal.

With too many Corporators were in the race for the post, the TRS leadership had appointed general secretary and chairman of Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIC) Gyadari Balamallu as the in-charge for the selection of Mayor. Following this, Balamallu closeted with the district MLAs – Nannapuneni Narender, Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar, Thatikonda Rajaiah and Aroori Ramesh – and other senior leaders here on Thursday, discussed about the aspirants.

Although the leaders are tight lipped over the outcome of their meeting, party sources say that Prakash Rao would be the next Mayor in all probability.

It may be mentioned here that Mayor election would be held on April 27 and a notice in this regard had already circulated to all the Corporators. It may be mentioned here that Mayor post has been up for grab ever since Nannapuneni Narender vacated it after he was elected as the MLA of the Warangal East constituency in December 2018.