Leader of the Opposition VD Sathesan
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said that Kochi Mayor will not be selected on caste or religious equations.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Satheesan said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Congress were discussing the matter and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) would decide on the course of action. He said the District Congress Committee President cannot take a decision until the KPCC completes its stand. Unlike the CPI(M), the Congress would not impose a mayor from above and councilors’ views would be heard.
Mr Satheesan’s statement comes in the wake of growing clamor over perceived indecision over the UDF’s mayoral candidate in Kochi. Three names – Deepthy Mary Varghese, VK Minimol and Shiny Mathew – are considered to be the top contenders for the post. There was speculation that a recipe was emerging to appoint a Latin Catholic mayor to appease the community, which is the dominant force in Ernakulam, and to consider a representative from Kochi West, where the UDF has not performed as well as in urban areas. Ms. Mathew meets both criteria.
Mr. Satheesan asked the media not to undermine UDF’s resounding victory in Kochi Corporation. Policy decisions, including those related to the Tripunithura municipality, would be taken at the state level. Tripunithura will be ruled by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, which has emerged as the single largest bloc, unless the UDF and LDF, which finished third and second, join hands.
He said that social media cannot be silenced as is evident from the various comments that have been made about him, although their intensity has now decreased.
“The mayor will not be selected on caste or religious grounds. The party will take a decision only after hearing everyone’s views and that will be a transparent process,” Satheesan said.
Police brutality
Mr. Satheesan termed the incident of the Station House Officer assaulting a woman at the Town North Police Station as another shocking example of the brutality of the Kerala Police. CCTV footage of the incident, which took place more than a year ago, emerged on Thursday.
“It took the couple over a year-long battle and court intervention to get the CCTV footage released. This incident is similar to the brutal attack on Youth Congress leader Sujith in Thrissur. The disastrous consequences of handing over control of the Kerala Police to the Chief Minister’s office and the criminal-mafia nexus of the CPI(M) are now coming to light.
Criminals within the police must not be allowed to remain on duty even for a moment, he said.
Published – 18 Dec 2025 22:51 IST
