GWMC election: Caste becomes deciding factor in picking TRS mayoral candidate

The ruling party has reportedly sent signals to party leaders in Warangal that former Rajya Sabha MP and state president of the TRS women's wing, Gundu Sudharani, will be the party's mayoral nominee.

Chief Minister KCR is said to have come to this decision keeping in view the caste equation which also affects the entire state. Gundu Sudharani belongs to the Padmashali community which is the second-largest group after Munnuru Kapus in Warangal.

The move is being criticized because the Padmashalis do not have political prominence across the state. It is reported that the party supremacy is leaning towards Gundu Sudharani who has a clean image as a politician. Political analysts also note that the two MLAs in the Warangal Urban district belong to the Munnuru Kapu community and hence handing over another big post to the community seems very unlikely.

Leaders close to minister KTR have been working for the mayoral seat for some time now. In particular, Nagurla Venkateshwarlu, the chairman of the State Debt Relief Commission, has already worked hard for the seat. While he initially received positive signs for his aspiration, he reportedly was shut down at the last minute.

It seems that local leaders are also making efforts to ensure the mayoral seat goes to the Munnuru Kapu community. Several leaders are lobbying hard for the coveted post.

Dasyam Vijay Bhaskar, the brother of local MLA Vinay Bhaskar; Vaddiraju Ravi Chandra, a businessman; and TRS senior leader from the Padmashali community Gundeti Narender are said to be in the race.

On Sunday Gundu Sudharani filed her nomination putting all speculations to rest. However, it is to be seen if the TRS leadership changes its decision following pressure from other aspirants.