KOCHI: With the district leadership of Congress allegedly taking a stand in favour of Shyny Mathew, who won from the Fort Kochi division, as the Mayor probable, a section in the Congress party and the representatives of other constituents of UDF have already started expressing their dissatisfaction in this regard. According to insiders in the Congress, a secret consensus has evolved among the group managers as well as leaders of 'A' and 'I' factions to make Shyny the Mayor of Kochi. However, after the recent controversies and allegations raised by opponents in connection with the candidature of Shyny, group leaders are hesitating to come out in the open in support of Shyny.
“Initially, the 'A'” group promoted the name of Soumini Jain and 'I' group that of Gracy Babu Jacob. But post poll results, the name of Shyny Mathew began coming to the fore and soon started eclipsing the other two. Result: The group managers are not pushing any name now other than Shyny's. She is also projected as the 'A' group nominee and they claim that the candidate also enjoys the support of a section of the Church, which is very crucial as far as the Congress party is concerned,” said a party functionary.
As per the script, Shyny's name will also be proposed as a representative from West Kochi, an area that never had a Mayoral representation in about three decades. According to the partyman, as per the secret consensus among the group mangers, Shyny's name will be projected before the state leadership as a candidate who is acceptable to both the factions. “But a section of local leaders of the party as well as workers are against this decision. Their opposition is mainly due to the 'sponsored' tag attached to the candidate and her lack of experience. Shyny was never an active worker of the Congress party and is a total newcomer. So, appointing her as the Mayor may spark off a scandal,” he further alleged.
Meanwhile, a representative of a major faction in Congress, who did not wish to be named, brushed aside the allegations raised against Shyny and said that there are no controversies surrounding the candidate. “We are not supposed to talk about this issue as the KPCC has clearly instructed group leaders not to make public statements till an official decision is made in this regard,” he said.
Deputy Mayor
If Shyny's name is proposed as the official 'A' group candidate, then T J Vinodh, the 'I' group candidate, will be considered for the Deputy Mayor post. Meanwhile, the Muslim League is strongly demanding the post of Deputy Mayor. “But the Congress leadership is not considering the demand by the League. The League has two seats in the Council, while the Congress has 35,” said Congress leaders.
T K Ashraf, who is one of the major Muslim League contenders for the Deputy Mayor post, is likely to demand the Works Standing Committee chairman post if he is denied the Deputy Mayor post.
unending group war
■ Group managers are not pushing any name now other than Shyny's
■ As per the script, Shyny's name will also be proposed as a representative from W Kochi