UDF grapples with dissension as rebels surface across Corporation divisions

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has been left to contend with what is probably the largest number of rebel candidates in recent elections in the Kochi Corporation, after the electoral fray took shape following the last day for withdrawal of nominations on Monday (November 24).

Congress rebels are present in no fewer than 10 divisions of the Corporation, including areas within the city limits and West Kochi. These divisions include Palarivattom, Girinagar, Poonithura, Chullikkal, Moolamkuzhi, Mundamveli East, Manassery, Mattancherry, Panayappally, and Konam.

In the Cheralayi division, six-time councillor Shyamala S. Prabhu has emerged as a high-profile rebel against the official candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the UDF, Communist Party of India, and Twenty20 attempted to woo her into their respective camps, she chose to contest as an Independent, rebelling against the local BJP leadership, while reaffirming her loyalty to the State and district leaderships of the party, which she represented from 1988 to 2020.

“We have taken five rebel candidates in Moolamkuzhi, Chullikkal, Konam, Poonithura and Palarivattom divisions rather seriously. Though they can no longer withdraw their nominations, attempts are being made to dissuade them from campaigning. Talks are on with them,” said District Congress Committee (DCC) president Muhammed Shiyas.

In the Moolamkuzhi division, Shaila Thadhevoose faces stiff opposition from K.G. Antony, while in Chullikkal, Sebastian Antony is up against Bastin Baby, a party colleague and former councillor from Karuvelippady. Rajesh, a candidate of the Communist Marxist Party, a UDF constituent, is facing pressure from former Deputy Mayor and Congress councillor K.R. Premkumar. In Poonithura and Palarivattom, Congress candidates Xavier P. Antony and V.K. Minimol are challenged by rebels Hareesh and Joseph Alex, a former councillor, respectively.

The Congress announced candidates for 64 divisions in two lots of 40 and 22, respectively, while withholding announcements for Cheralayi and Ravipuram divisions as a “surprise.”

The announcement of the first 40 names did not trigger much rebellion, but the situation changed after the release of the next 22 names. In Cheralayi and Ravipuram, the party eventually had to settle on R. Meenu, an ASHA worker, and Antony Judy, who switched from Twenty20 after contesting against Congress MP from Ernakulam, Hibi Eden, in the last general elections. Bringing in Mr. Judy, who had fought against the party in the past, did not go down well with sections of the party and the Youth Congress.

In Thrikkakara

The Congress has to overcome the challenge posed by six rebel candidates in Thrikkakara municipality, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the CPI have to face one each.

In Ward 43 (Thoppil South), where DCC secretary Xavier Thayankary is contesting, Mahila Congress block secretary and former councillor Solly Johnson, and Mandalam secretary James are also in the fray.

Thrikkakara Mandalam vice president K.B. Suneer is contesting against Mandalam president and former chairperson Ajitha Thankappan in Ward 17 (Vazakala West). In Kunneparambu West (Ward 42), Nazar Thrikkakara, Mandalam president of the Karashaka Congress, has challenged the candidature of former chairperson Shaji Vazhakala.

The other Congress rebels in the fray are block vice president Babu Antony against Youth Congress leader Thomas Thuthiyoor in Ward 13 and Mandalam vice president Sabu Padiyanchery against P.S. Sujith in Ward 32.

While O.A. Shaji, a CPI(M) branch member, has refused to back off from contesting against the party’s official candidate K.G. Jayachandran in Kalathikuzhi (Ward 29), the CPI’s former councillor P.V. Santhosh is in the fray against party nominee Abdul Nazer in Kunneparambu West (Ward 42).