KOCHI: Deepthi Mary Varghese and Shiny Mathew, UDF’s mayor probables, feature in the first list of 40 candidates the Congress announced on Tuesday for the elections in Kochi corporation. Some familiar names like Antony Kureethara and K A Manaf have also been included.
“Congress has announced candidates in Kochi corporation ahead of the LDF and the BJP. The party is contesting in 65 of the 76 divisions,” said the party’s Ernakulam district president Muhammed Shiyas, while releasing the list.
“This time, the Congress is fielding more women candidates, including in general seats. A total of 22 women are among the candidates announced for 40 seats,” he said.
Shiny, who won from Fort Kochi in the 2015 local body polls, will be contesting again from the seat. In the last council, Kureethara represented Fort Kochi.
This time, the seat has been reserved for women. Shiny had been projected as a probable mayoral candidate during the 2015 polls too, with posters appearing even before any official announcement was made.
This time too, the rumour mills have become active. While posters proclaiming Shiny as the mayoral candidate appeared on social media, the Congress leadership was quick to put the rumours to rest.
Another mayor probable, Deepthi, who represents the Karukappilly division in the outgoing council, will be contesting this year from the Stadium seat.
That the Congress has given her a general seat indicates a strong chance of her becoming the mayor if UDF wins the elections. Last time, Deepthi had polled 1,308 votes, compared to 1,055 for Aji Francis.
Another woman candidate who has been given a general seat is Shyla Thadevus from Moolamkuzhi, which she will be attempting to retain. Seena Gokulan, who has been fielded in Puthukalavattom, is another prominent woman candidate.
Besides Kureethara and Manaf, K V P Krishnakumar and M G Aristotle are among the senior leaders who will be bidding for another term in the corporation from Island North, Karippalam, Ernakulam South, and Kaloor South, respectively.