Congress core committee yet to reach consensus on mayoral candidate in Kochi Corporation

The United Democratic Front (UDF) appears to be tying itself in knots over the selection of mayoral candidate in the Kochi Corporation after a core committee meeting of the Congress to gauge the views of its 42 elected councillors on leadership ended inconclusively, adding to the confusion on Monday (December 22, 2025) evening.

The core committee comprises of UDF chairman Dominic Presentation, District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas, and senior leader N. Venugopal. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary and councillor from the Stadium division, Deepthy Mary Varghese, who was initially the frontrunner for the post of Mayor, seems to have fallen behind in the race due to group dynamics. Ms. Varghese, identified with the K.C. Venugopal faction within the ‘I’ group, seems to be having little support among elected councillors, according to party sources.

Ms. Varghese had staked claim under the presumption that being a KPCC office-bearer would give her an advantage under party guidelines. However, she found herself with little support, including from the local MLA and MP, they said.

This has led to V.K. Minimol, councillor from the Palarivattom division and State vice president of the Mahila Congress, reportedly emerging as the preferred choice of the larger ‘I’ group and Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan, who is believed to have the final say in the choice of the mayoral candidate, given his direct charge of the Kochi Corporation election. Senior councillors said she has the support of at least 17 councillors, with another three expressing support for both her and Ms. Varghese.

However, that equation may collapse if the absolute numbers among Congress councillors are considered. In that case, Shiny Mathew, a multi-term councillor from the Fort Kochi division, reportedly backed by no fewer than 20 councillors aligned with the ‘A’ faction, could emerge as the favourite. She also has the Latin Catholic Church pushing her case.

Given these dynamics, the preference of elected councillors alone will not determine the eventual choice of the mayoral candidate, with the leadership also playing a decisive role. Either way, the mayoral term is likely to be a split one. Within the party, there is a sentiment that the State leadership could have clarified its position well in advance in which case the choice would have been accepted by councillors irrespective of group affiliations.