Karimnagar: Deputy Mayor Challa Swaroopa Rani has accused Mayor Y Sunil Rao of disrespecting her by not informing her about his recent trip to America on August 23. She also alleged that he deliberately avoided making her the in-charge mayor during his absence.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Swaroopa Rani explained that she only found out about the mayor’s trip at 8 pm on August 23 through a message in the PA municipal group. The message indicated that the mayor would be in the U.S. for two weeks. However, in a WhatsApp message, the mayor mentioned he was going away for 33 days and even sent his flight ticket as proof.
According to the Municipal Act, if the mayor is unavailable for 15 days or more, the deputy mayor should be given charge. The Collector was approached to assign this responsibility to her in the mayor’s absence. Understanding that the mayor’s trip was for 33 days, the commissioner recommended to the Collector that the responsibility be handed over to the deputy mayor.
The Collector then sent a notice to Mayor Sunil Rao, who was already in America. In response, the mayor informed the Collector that he would return to India by September 6. Instead of asking the Collector to make Swaroopa Rani the in-charge mayor, Sunil Rao abruptly canceled his ticket and decided to return early. Swaroopa Rani highlighted that this incident reflects the numerous mistakes made in the city’s administration over the past four and a half years.
Swaroopa Rani believes that the mayor’s refusal to grant her the in-charge position is due to her being a BC (Backward Class) woman. She urged the people of Karimnagar and party members to take note of this issue. She questioned why the mayor, who belongs to the same party as her, had a problem with her taking charge during his absence.
Despite serving as Deputy Mayor for four and a half years without receiving much respect, Swaroopa Rani said she remained silent out of loyalty to the party. However, she now calls on the party leadership to take action against the mayor for insulting her.
Challa Harishankar, a supporter, added that the mayor’s actions show a lack of respect for BC women, pointing to the latest developments as evidence.
