Election Page | Mayors not in fray in civic polls, but may have a larger political responsibility awaiting them

After leading the respective civic administrations for five years, the Mayors of all six Corporations in the State have called it a day, though some may have a larger political responsibility reserved for them.

None of the six Mayors of Kerala will be in the fray in the upcoming local body elections. However, speculations are rife that at least three of the outgoing Mayors may find themselves as candidates in the Assembly polls to be held next year.

Most of the six Mayors expressed their desire to return to the organisational fold as their term as civic heads came to an end.

Beena Philip, a first-time councillor who was elected as Kozhikode Mayor, says she “would rather be part of the organisational set-up in the party than be in a position of power.” However, political circles are abuzz with reports that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] may field her as a candidate from an Assembly constituency in the district.

“Over the five years, I had little personal time. I feel that I could have been of better use to people who needed me if I were not in such a position,” said Ms. Philip.

A four-term Corporation councillor and Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar too wishes to return to the organisational work, especially the trade union sector. Many political observers believe that the CPI(M), which had once fielded Mr. Anilkumar, a newly elected State committee member of the party, in the Ernakulam Assembly constituency, may once again ask him to contest the Assembly election from a constituency in the district.

Long tenure

“I have been in parliamentary politics for 25 years and that is enough and more. As a State committee member of the party, I want to devote my attention to organisational work. Besides, I have been an active trade unionist, including in major public sector units in the district,” Mr. Anilkumar said.

Kannur Mayor Muslih Madathil, the only Mayor from the Indian Union Muslim League, hopes to discharge his organisational responsibilities by supporting his party colleagues who are in the fray in the local body elections.

However, Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese has not kept his intentions to be active in politics a secret. While denying the rumours that he may contest the Assembly elections as a Bhartiya Janata Party candidate, Mr. Varghese said he will continue to be in active politics. He also stated that he will extend support to all who would like to contribute to the development of Thrissur.

The absence of Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran on the list of candidates released by the party the other day has strengthened the speculations that the party has reserved her for a larger political assignment. Party leaders are tight-lipped about her future role in electoral politics.

Ms. Rajendran hogged the headlines as the youngest Mayor in the country when she took up the responsibility at the age of 21 years.

Kollam Mayor

Honey Benjamin, a three-time Mayor of Kollam, has announced that she will not contest in future elections. Notably, the Communist Party of India had earlier made an exception to its two-term policy by fielding her four times in the Kollam Corporation elections, considering her strong winnability factor. Ms. Benjamin says she would continue her public service as a social worker.