Kochi Mayoral Post Split Into Two Terms Within Congress; Deepthi Mary Varghese Left Out

Kochi: The Indian National Congress’s announcement of mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates for the 2025 Kochi Municipal Corporation elections has sparked waves of internal discussion, if not outright incredulity. V K Mini Molly and Deepak Joy have been nominated to serve as mayor and deputy mayor for the first two and a half years, with Shiny Mathew and K V P Krishnakumar set to assume the roles for the remaining term.

However, one notable leader appears to have been caught off guard: Deepthi Mary Varghese. Prior to the elections, she was widely projected as the party’s mayoral candidate in Kochi. Yet, once the results were declared and the mayoralty divided into a two -and- a- half -year arrangement, her anticipated elevation did not materialise. 46 candidates won seats in the corporation elections, but Deepthi’s experience and long-standing presence in local politics seemed, at least temporarily, insufficient to secure her the top post.

'I was not informed that the post would be given to anyone else. I only learned through the media that Congress had finalised the mayoral candidates,' Deepthi remarked, underlining the apparent lack of internal communication. She stressed that experience is critical in handling such responsibilities, subtly questioning whether the decision -making process fully accounted for the competence required.

Deepthi also pointed out that the final decision appeared to have been made by group leaders in Kochi alone. 'The KPCC knows whether their decision was based on the necessary criteria. They are fully aware if it was the right decision,' she added. While she claims she has yet to file a formal complaint, inside sources indicate that Deepthi has already submitted her grievance to KPCC authorities.

Her comments reflect a broader tension familiar in party politics: balancing seniority and merit against internal group dynamics. The Congress’s carefully crafted arrangement, intended to balance leadership among factions, has nonethe less generated an unexpected public narrative, reminding observers that in politics, procedural announcements can sometimes overshadow policy and governance. As Kochi prepares for the mayoral transition, all eyes will remain on how the Congress manages these internal sensitivities while presenting a unified front to the electorate.