Warangal: Ending the suspense surrounding the election of Warangal Mayor, the TRS corporators on Saturday finally zeroed in on Gunda Prakash Rao, a party loyalist who has been associated with the ruling party since its inception in early 2000s. Rao’s election was unanimous.

In a special session convened under the leadership of District Collector Prashant Jeevan Patil, who served as the presiding officer, corporator Vaddiraju Ganesh proposed Prakash Rao’s name, which was seconded by corporators from the party. The 19th Division Corporator Nagaraju later administered the oath of office to Prakash Rao. The local MLAs and MPs from ruling TRS party congratulated the newly elected mayor.

Extending his gratitude to the party top leadership, Prakash Rao after swearing-in told the newly elected corporators that he would make strenuous efforts to transform Warangal into a smart city and a tourism hub.

Hectic parleys preceded until the last minute as several ruling party loyalists aspired for the coveted post. With Panchayati Raj Minister Erraballi Dayakar Rao stepping in, party workers fell in line to support the candidature of Prakash Rao.

Prakash Rao is a party loyalist and a well-known businessman in the region as the chairman of Bhavitha Sree Group of Companies. He currently represents the 26th Division in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation. He earlier served as TRS party general secretary.