Retired Havildar takes on veteran BJP leader in Rajamahendravaram mayoral battle

The race for Rajamahendravaram's mayoral position has heated up as the YSR Congress Party has nominated retired Havildar Daasi Venkata Rao, a 15-year veteran of the Indian Army, against BJP veteran Relangi Rani Sridevi. A former Jawan since 1969, Mr. Venkata Rao presently operates a contracting business in the city. Proposals for the mayoral post were submitted by YSRCP district president Ch. Venugopala Krishna and former MP Margani Bharat on Sunday, with Mr. Venkata Rao's nomination papers filed on the same day.

In his media interview, the retired Havildar stated that his primary focus would be on developmental projects and ensuring transparency and discipline in administration if elected. He recalled the city's progress during the YSRCP's rule, noting the importance of maintaining this trajectory.

The BJP, in response, announced Ms. Sridevi as its candidate for the NDA alliance. Ms. Sridevi has been a loyal BJP member for many years, currently serving as the BJP In-Charge for West Godavari district. She has held various leadership roles within the party, including former vice president of Andhra Pradesh (2021-25) and State president of BJP Mahila Morcha (2009-12).

In 2014, Ms. Sridevi was elected as a corporator in the Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation. The mayoral position is reserved for SC-General, adding a layer of complexity for both parties in selecting suitable candidates, as some prominent aspirants were found ineligible to contest due to party affiliations.

Both parties have yet to unveil their manifestos, as they were both nominated at the last minute to meet the nomination deadline. The final submission deadline for the mayoral nominations is Monday. However, the new Mayor is anticipated to prioritize the Godavari Pushkarams-2027 and infrastructure projects as key areas of focus for their administration. The 2026 RMC election will be the first after the merger of 11 villages, including Dowleswaram, Bommuru, and Hukumpeta.