Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary and two-time Corporation councillor Deepthy Mary Varghese barely concealed her displeasure at being overlooked for the post of Mayor, despite being led to believe that she was the frontrunner.
Speaking to the media at her residence after the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) announced its choice of Mayor and Deputy Mayor candidates for split terms, Ms. Varghese said she was not even officially informed of the decision. Without explicitly stating that the KPCC circular had been violated, she pointed out that the circular clearly stipulated that when more than one name was in contention, KPCC office-bearers should be given priority.
She alleged that due process had not been followed in the selection of candidates. According to her, the opinions of Congress councillors were collected publicly on Monday (December 22, 2025) rather than through a secret process, depriving them of the right to express their honest views. She said the councillors were asked for their opinions by individuals who backed their candidacy. The meeting of councillors was convened by Dominic Presentation, N. Venugopal, and DCC president Mohammed Shiyas, without the presence of a neutral observer appointed by the KPCC, as is the norm.
“I was told that the Congress core committee meeting would be held on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) to take a political decision on the matter. When the meeting was delayed, I contacted Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan, who was directly in charge of the Corporation election. It is for him to clarify whether norms were followed in the selection of candidates. In any case, I will continue to work honestly in my capacity as KPCC general secretary and councillor,” she said.
Asked whether the figures being circulated to show that she lacked the backing of Congress councillors were accurate, Ms. Varghese said people were free to believe them or not.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ajay Tharayil strongly criticised the decision, calling it contrary to the will of a majority of councillors. He accused party factions of indulging in excessive group politics, which he said was unacceptable. He added that groups had conspired to sideline Ms. Varghese, who, he emphasised, had risen through the ranks and had not simply appeared on the scene overnight.
Published – December 24, 2025 01:19 am IST
