Women dominate mayor race; three corporations reserved, Kozhikode also likely to have woman mayor, AK Hafeez in Kollam

KOLLAM: Although the fronts have entered discussions to select mayors in six corporations, the final decision will be taken keeping an eye on the assembly elections next year. If former DGP R Sreelekha takes charge as mayor in Thiruvananthapuram and Dr S Jayasree is appointed mayor in Kozhikode, women will head five of the six corporations. Kochi, Thrissur, and Kannur are already reserved for women. Even if Sreelekha is not selected in Thiruvananthapuram, women are almost certain to lead at least four corporations.

In Kollam, there is only one candidate, AK Hafeez, INTUC district president and KPCC member. The UDF has fielded him as its mayoral candidate.

In Thiruvananthapuram, there are indications that the BJP may give preference to VV Rajesh for political reasons.

In Kochi, the three potential candidates are KPCC General Secretary Deepthi Mary Varghese, Mahila Congress State Vice President Adv. VK Minimol, and Shiny Mathew, who was considered for the mayoral post in 2015. Sitting councillors Deepthi and Minimol are aligned with the I Group, while Shiny is backed by the A Group. Minimol has administrative experience as a former standing committee chairperson. Shiny Mathew, who won Fort Kochi with a strong majority of 1,071 votes, is actively in the fray.

In Thrissur, former deputy mayor Adv Subi Babu is the preferred candidate. Lali James, who won from Laloor, is also being considered. Both Subi Babu and Lali James are entering the council for the fourth time. Other names in consideration include Shyamala Muraleedharan from Mukattukara division, who was the standing committee chairperson, and Sheena Chandran from Panamukku.

In Kannur, former deputy mayor P Indira and Mahila Congress district president Sreeja Madathil are being considered. P Indira, a three-time winner, is the front-runner. The district Congress leadership and MP K Sudhakaran, who controls the corporation elections, are also interested in introducing a new face, which could benefit Sreeja Madathil.

In Kozhikode, which is the only LDF-controlled general seat, Dr S Jayasree is the front-runner. She is currently serving as the chairperson of the health standing committee. Former deputy collector E Anitha Kumari is also in the race. In the previous term, Jayasree was considered for the post, but the mayoral position eventually went to Beena Philip at the last moment. Among men, LDF council party leader O Sadashivan is under consideration.