Community balance emerges as key factor for Mayor selection in Thrissur Corporation

Deliberations within the Congress over who should become the next Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Thrissur Corporation have gathered momentum. With the Assembly elections approaching, the party is keen to ensure community balance in the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts. At present, the names of Subi Babu and Laly James are leading the race.

The party’s strategy is to divide the tenure into two or three terms and give the mayoral post to members of the majority or minority communities in alternate terms. Former Deputy Mayor Ms. Babu has been elected councillor for the fourth time, while Ms. James, who defeated the CPI(M)’s Mayor candidate, is also serving a fourth term as councillor.

For the Deputy Mayor’s post, the name of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee secretary A. Prasad is under active consideration. The final decision will be taken after consulting senior leaders in the district as well as All India Congress Committee general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala.

The newly elected councillors will take oath on December 21. The decision on the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will follow, with elections to both posts scheduled for December 26.