VIJAYAWADA: The Nuzvid municipal chairperson's post virtually fell into the lap of Maddirala Kotamma who was elected from the 15th ward of the municipality. The post was reserved for a BC (general category). Ramisetty Muralikrishna Kumar, elected from the 26th ward, was elected to the post of the vice-chairman of the civic body.

The development almost came as a surprise as the names of neither of the two leaders was heard in the aspirants' list. Naudu Nagamalleswara Rao, also a BC candidate elected from the 30th ward, was a strong contender for the chairperson's post. Sources in the party said Mr. Rao was crestfallen after denial of the post as he was kept in the dark till the last minute by local MLA Meka Venkata Pratap Apparao. The other names, which figured in the aspirants' lists were that of Ramella Ranga Rao, and T. Ashok Kumar who contested as an independent and got elected from the 16th ward.

Dharna staged

Soon after the MLA announced his decision to propose the name of Ms. Kotamma, a dejected Mr. Rao left the place in a huff. He returned with nearly 400 supporters who staged a dharna in front of the municipal office. The followers of Mr. Rao came in a rally, raised slogans against the party leadership's decision and demolished platforms of the flag posts.

Mr. Rao left after taking the oath and did not stay back for voting for the chairman's post. Later, speaking to the reporters, he accused the MLA of "playing dirty politics" and said he would resign the councillor's post on Saturday.

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