Kochi Congress finalizes 62 candidates, keeps two wards as surprise
Kochi Congress finalizes 62 candidates, keeps two wards as surprise
Kochi Congress lists 62 candidates for the corporation polls, withholding two wards in a surprise move to shape the race.
The Congress on Thursday released its final set of candidates for the Kochi Corporation elections, taking the tally to 62 candidates across the 64 wards the party will contest. The party withheld announcements for two wards — Cheralayi and Ravipuram — describing the move as a deliberate surprise.
DCC president Muhammed Shiyas said the decision to leave out just two wards out of 64 was meant to keep the campaign dynamic, even as rumours swirl about who might contest Cheralayi and Ravipuram. Names circulating include BJP dissident and six-time councillor Shyamala S. Prabhu for Cheralayi and former Congress Mayor Soumini Jain for Ravipuram, though neither has been officially confirmed yet.
VK Minimol, who had been conspicuously absent from the earlier list, has now been fielded from the newly delimited Palarivattom, described as a general ward. Sitting councillor from Vaduthala West, Henry Austin, will contest the same ward again. The party has emphasised that fielding several women candidates goes beyond the required minimum, noting that the Mayor’s post is reserved for women while aiming to raise women’s participation in decision-making.
Malini Kurup, a three-time sitting councillor from Girinagar, was excluded, prompting disappointment among her supporters. The original plan had been to contest in 65 wards, but Konam ward was allocated to a Communist Marxist Party ally within the UDF.
On youth representation, Shiyas defended the balance of youth and experience in the lineup, saying opinions can only be formed once all candidates are declared district-wide. He pushed back against perceived discontent within the Youth Congress, promising a clearer picture after all 62 names are officially announced.
The party will present all 62 candidates to Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan at the DCC office on Friday evening, solidifying the next phase of the Kochi Corporation campaign.
Cover image source: Local body polls: Final picture likely to emerge soon in Kozhikode 🔗
