Following the announcement that the GVMC Mayor post reservation has been designated for the Women (General) category for upcoming local body elections, intense lobbying has begun across Visakhapatnam. Aspiring candidates from major political formations are actively approaching their respective leaderships to secure the coveted mayoral nomination.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) race has gained significant attention because of the election format. Under the proposed process, the Mayor will be elected directly by voters, a notable departure from the previous system where elected corporators chose the Mayor from among themselves.
Political parties including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) are evaluating potential candidates. With the post now reserved for women under the General category, several senior leaders are considering fielding eligible family members.
GVMC Mayor Post Reservation Sparks Lobbying By Senior Leaders
Within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), several family connections are under consideration for the mayoral ticket. The family members of a senior leader belonging to the Backward Classes (BC) community are among the aspirants, alongside the spouses of two former MLAs. The party is also exploring the candidature of the wife of a prominent young leader from Visakhapatnam who comes from a strong political background.
A former TDP corporator who is the daughter of a senior party leader from the Visakhapatnam North Assembly constituency has also been in the race since the beginning of the exercise. A senior TDP leader emphasized the party’s strong foothold in the region.
“Visakhapatnam has been a fortress for the TDP. Even when the YSRCP registered a wave in the 2019 elections, the TDP won all the four core Assembly constituencies in Visakhapatnam City. So, it is fair for the party to seek the Mayor’s post,” a senior TDP leader said.
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Alliance Partners And Opposition Parties Weigh Options
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which plans to contest roughly 10 to 15 seats in the local body elections, is keen to secure the mayoral post as part of alliance negotiations. Party leaders are reportedly considering putting forward the daughter of a senior BJP leader who has been active in politics.
The Jana Sena Party (JSP) is similarly focused on obtaining the mayoral nomination for a woman leader. A former corporator and another active JSP leader from the Visakhapatnam North constituency are reportedly receiving backing from sections of the party leadership.
Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders are also lobbying for the nomination and have communicated their interest to senior leadership. Some party members have proposed fielding a woman from the family of a senior Uttarandhra YSRCP leader.
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Leadership Meetings And Election Strategy
A crucial meeting between YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and local party leaders and aspirants was scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to provide greater clarity on the party strategy. With political alliances and internal party discussions intensifying across Visakhapatnam, final candidate announcements are expected to take shape as election preparations progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the GVMC Mayor elected under the proposed system?
Under the proposed election process for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, the Mayor will be elected directly by voters. This differs from the previous system where elected corporators selected the Mayor from among themselves.
Which political parties are lobbying for the GVMC Mayor post?
Political parties including the Telugu Desam Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Jana Sena Party and the YSR Congress Party are actively lobbying and considering candidates for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Mayor post following the Women General reservation announcement.
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