TDP likely to conduct GMC elections

Guntur: The government is in favour of holding elections to the prestigious GunturMunicipal Corporation encouraged by the victory in Nandyal bypoll and Kakinada Municipal Corporation elections.The partyleaders have already suggested to the Chief Minister N ChandrababuNaidu to hold the GMC elections to bag the GMC mayor post and majority of corporator posts in the state capital. They feel it isright time to hold the elections to the GMC.

Highlights:

• The ruling party is buoyant following its victory in Nandyal bypoll and KMC elections
• There have been no elections to the GMC for the last seven years
• The allegations of corruption in GMC are on the rise
• 10 surrounding villages have been merged in GMC

According to sources in the party, Chandrababu Naidu has taken the suggestion of the party leaders positively. At present the TDP is conducting the 'Intintiki Telugu Desam programme' to strengthen the party. The party has already entrusted the responsibilities to the divisional in-charges for the victory of the party candidates. The government developed the important roads and has taken up city beautification work for Krishna Pushkarams with an eye on the GMC
elections.

The government merged ten surrounding villages into the Guntur Municipal Corporation. A petition was filed in the court against the reorganisation of the divisions in the GMC.

The court directed the GMC to form the divisions scientifically. The earlier 52 divisions in the GMC, after merging these ten neighbouring villages in the GMC will increase further.

Due to negligence of the government, there have been no elections to the GMC for the last seven years.
Rayapati Mohana Sai Krishna was the last mayor. When there is no elected body, there Is noaccountability inthe GMC officials. During the last seven years, corruption has been rampant in the GMC. Crores of rupees oflabour cess scam had come to light.

Some of the builders submitted fake challans for labour cess payment to the GMC. But no action has been taken against any official. Ministers, MPs, people’s representatives rarely review GMC development works.

GMC commissioner Challa Anuradha said “We have began an exercise to reorganise the divisions in the municipal corporation including in the ten merged villages. It will take some more time to complete the process.”

MLC DokkaManikyaVara Prasad said “ There is need to hold the GMC elections to involve the people's representatives in the development. Holding elections to the GMC is a constitution obligation. The party is ready to
face the municipal corporation elections in GMC.

We have already entrusted the responsibilities to the party leaders to work for the victory of the party candidates. TDP will win in the GMC elections. “Lok Satta district president Kotta Ravi said “At present underground drainage works are being executed at a cost of Rs 960 crore.

Comprehensive drinking water scheme works are beingtaken up at a cost of Rs 450 crore. In addition to this, the GMC has taken up road widening and city beautification works.

If there is elected body, there will be more accountability on part of officials in executing the works. At present accountability is lacking in the officials” he stated.