VIJAYAWADA: Amidst high drama, YSRC candidate Inturi Rajagopal was elected the new chairman of Jaggaiahpet Municipality on Saturday. Peeved with the Returning Officer Harish for not considering their request to postpone the election, TDP candidates walked out of the council hall stating they have boycotted the elections. As there was quorum, the election was held and Rajagopal alias Chinna was announced elected unanimous. Earlier in the day, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas, who is also an ex-officio member of the municipality, came to the Council Hall before 11 a.m, the scheduled time for the election.
Srinivas asked the Returning Officer to postpone the election, as three TDP councilors, who were kidnapped by YSRC party leaders, have not been released yet. A heated argument ensued between him and the officials. The Returning Office clearly enunciated the rule position. Not satisfied with the answer, the MP announced that they are boycotting the election and walked out of the council hall along with other TDP councilors. Speaking to mediapersons, he said he will lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. “They are acting in a unilateral manner.
How can they conduct election without our councilors?” he said. Srinivas said that it is very unfortunate that a criminal who has a rowdy sheet filed against him has become the new chairman. “All our efforts for the development of the municipality will go down the drain. By electing such people, YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has shown what he is,” he said.Meanwhile, YSRC councilors, who all came to the council hall at the scheduled time, unanimously elected Rajagopal as the new chairman. He was handed over the certificate by the RO. Later speaking to mediapersons, Rajagopal said that everyone saw what has happened since last two days and know who is acting in an overbearing manner.
Taking exception to being labeled a criminal, Rajagopal said falses cases were foisted against him. “Everyone knows who is a criminal and who uses underhand tactics to suppress others. I will leave what they are saying to their wisdom,” he said.
In view of the tense situation that prevailed on Friday, forcing the officials to postpone the election to Saturday, additional security was deployed at the Jaggaiahpet Municipal Office. On Friday, supporters of both parties resorted to a pitched battle with stones. TDP has been alleging that Rajagopal is accused of abducting three TDP councilors.Out of the total 27 councilors of Jaggaiahpet Municipality, 16 belong to YSRC party and 10 to TDP and one is independent. The independent councilor has joined TDP on October 16.