Independent candidate A.B. Venkateswara Rao promises corruption and rowdism free Vijayawada

A.B. Venkateswara Rao, an independent candidate, displays his election symbol, a gas cylinder, during a campaign for the municipal election in Vijayawada.

The entry of A.B. Venkateswara Rao, former IPS officer and former Commissioner of Police, Vijayawada, as an Independent candidate in the mayoral elections is being touted as a third alternative for citizens who are witnessing a tough fight between the YSRCP and NDA candidates.

In a conversation with The Hindu, Mr. Venkateswara Rao recalls what brought him to politics. “I never wanted Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s style of politics, but when I saw that the present government is also going in a similar direction, I decided that it has to stop,” he said, citing examples of how the TDP-led NDA government in the State is indulging in favouritism and catering to crony capitalists.

But his entry was not planned. While Mr. Venkateswara Rao announced his entry into politics last year, he did not intend to contest the Vijayawada mayoral elections. The former IPS officer, who wanted to launch a new party and is awaiting confirmation of its registration from the Election Commission of India, said it was a last-minute decision.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao, who had been waiting to enter the mainstream politics, the proposals from the Left parties and Congress to contest the polls, came as an opportunity to prove his mettle. “And, it is a direct election, and an important one. If the city of 8 lakh voters chooses you, you are a mainstream politician,” he said.

Vijayawada is more personal to him. He believes that he is as popular as his rival, Vangaveeti Radha Krishna of the Jana Sena Party, and attributes his popularity to the good track record he has had when he was the Police Commissioner here.

“I am not appealing to anyone’s caste or community, neither am I spending a single penny on buying votes. I am only promising them that I can build a better Vijayawada,” he said, adding that he intends to do this by rooting out corruption in the administration of civic duties and putting a stop to the system of ‘hafta vasool’, rowdism, and harassment of street vendors, which, he claimed is “rampant” in the city.

He also promised a 24-hour municipal drinking water supply directly from the tap, would plan a solution to the mosquito menace, and resolve the ever-growing traffic issues. “I am confident of winning. If you (the voter) make me win, you are going to get a free insurance policy for law and order for five years. Is there a better deal than that?” he asked before signing off.