The long-standing tussle between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA from the Kadapa constituency, Reddappagari Madhavi, and Kadapa Mayor Suresh Babu of the YSR Congress Party has reached a flashpoint, with the TDP-led coalition government disqualifying the mayor on charges of corruption.
The dismissal order, issued by the government, cited violations of municipal regulations, as outlined in an inquiry report by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department.
According to the vigilance department’s findings, members of Mayor Suresh Babu’s family were allegedly involved in contract works within Kadapa Municipal Corporation — an act that violates governance norms. This revelation led to a formal inquiry and subsequent action by the authorities.
Following the inquiry, senior officials from the Municipal Administration Department summoned Suresh Babu for questioning. Although he requested a two-week extension to respond to the charges, the government found his explanation unsatisfactory.
As a result, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration, Suresh Kumar, issued official orders removing Suresh Babu from office.
The Kadapa MLA had long threatened to expose the mayor’s alleged corrupt activities. Tensions escalated when Madhavi was denied a seat during corporation meetings and was allegedly made to stand, which she saw as an act of humiliation by the mayor. She had vowed to ensure that Suresh Babu would lose his position.
During the General Body Meeting of the Kadapa Municipal Corporation in December, Madhavi Reddy expressed outrage over not being accorded protocol. Acting under Suresh Babu’s instructions, officials reportedly did not allocate her a seat.
She accused the mayor of insulting a woman and remarked, “It seems your leader finds satisfaction in disrespecting women. Perhaps the mayor fears losing his chair, which is why he’s resorting to such tactics.”
