CPI’s Kochi Deputy Mayor resigns from party, slams candidate selection process

K.A. Ansiya, Deputy Mayor of the outgoing Kochi Corporation council and mandalam secretary of the CPI’s women’s wing, Mahila Sangham, announced her resignation from the party here on Friday.

In a surprise move, Ms. Ansiya made the announcement at a press conference, accusing the party of being reduced to a few individuals. She alleged that the candidate for the sixth ward was decided unilaterally, ignoring the names of hard working members of the Mahila Sangham.

“I have immense love for the CPI, which is corruption-free. The party allowed me to function independently without making unfair demands. But the party being reduced to a few individuals will leave it rootless in the Kochi mandalam and deny rightful opportunities to more women,” Ms. Ansiya said.

‘Not party member’

She further alleged that the candidate whose name topped the list of probables and was eventually selected for the ward was not a party member and had no association with the Mahila Sangham. She claimed that the district committee disregarded the sentiments of the Kochi mandalam committee.

Later, the mandalam committee issued a statement dismissing Ms. Ansiya’s allegations as baseless. It saidthe list of candidates with three names was finalised based on the majority decision of the mandalam committee and forwarded to the district committee, which approved the candidacy of P.H. Anila, whose name was first on the list.