Hyderabad: The Aswaraopeta municipality in Bhadradri Kothagudem district witnessed a rare political development on Monday as a husband and wife from the Congress party were elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Congress secured a decisive mandate by winning 17 of the 22 wards in the newly formed Aswaraopeta. From Ward 13, Congress leader Jupalli Ramesh Babu won as councillor. Meanwhile, his wife Jupalli Shashikala won from Ward 6.
Both leaders took oath as councillors before Election Officer Karthik at the municipal office.
Aswaraopeta municipality sees rare husband-wife leadership
During the subsequent special meeting, councillors elected Jupalli Shashikala as Municipal Chairperson. They also elected Jupalli Ramesh Babu as Vice Chairperson with majority support from Congress members.
With this, the Aswaraopeta municipality recorded a rare instance where a couple assumed the top two civic posts. Since this was the first election after the formation of the municipality, the development drew considerable attention.
Following the announcement, Congress leaders and supporters celebrated the victory. Party workers hailed the mandate as a strong endorsement of Congress in the region.