April 19: After hectic lobbying for the Mayor’s post, several BJP corporators have joined the race for plum positions such as floor leader in the BBMP council and chairmen of various standing committees.

Party sources said about 16 corporators who have won second and third terms in civic body polls are tipped to make it to these posts. In addition, the proximity of these newly elected members to senior leaders would be the other key criteria for bagging these positions.

The sources said the name of Katte Satyanarayana, elected for the fourth consecutive term, heads the list of contenders for the floor leader’s post. For posts of chairmen of standing committees, former deputy mayor N. Shantakumari, and corporators B.V. Ganesh, Venkatesh Murthy, Padmaraj, Ramamurthy and Gangabyraiah are among the top contenders. Among those elected for the first time, Katta Jagadish Naidu is tipped to make it as chairman of one of the committees because of the clout of his father and BWSSB and excise minister Katta Subramanya Naidu.

With the BBMP’s annual budget touching Rs 4,000 crore-mark, a lion’s share of the funds would be allocated through the standing committee for public works. Therefore, the post of chairman of this standing committee has been most sought after so far, sources added.