Kochi: Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) president Muhammad Shiyas has cleared the air over the rumours surrounding the selection of the Kochi mayor. Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Shiyas said the DCC had unanimously decided to appoint VK Minimol and Shiny Mathew as mayors of the Kochi Corporation. He also welcomed a probe by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) into the allegations regarding the mayoral election.

“The DCC president cannot take arbitrary decisions in this matter. Detailed discussions were held with core committee members as per KPCC norms. As DCC president, I only made the official announcement,” Shiyas said, dismissing the allegations raised by Advocate Deepthi Mary Varghese.

KPCC general secretary and AICC member Deepthi, who won from the Stadium division of the Corporation, had been projected as the Congress’s mayoral candidate. Though she led the election campaign, the DCC did not consider her for the post. It is alleged that a rift between the ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups within the party led to her being denied the position.

Hours after the DCC announced that Minimol and Shiny would share the mayoral post on Tuesday, Deepthi expressed her disappointment and alleged that KPCC norms had been violated. She also said she would raise a complaint with the KPCC leadership.

Responding to these allegations, Shiyas said any disagreement with the party’s decision must be discussed within party forums. He also rejected rumours of church intervention in the selection of the Kochi mayor.

“Decisions on the Kochi mayor and other posts are always taken by the party leadership. No organisation or religious body can influence them,” he said.

Condemning the social media campaign against the Congress, the DCC president accused Left party workers of circulating fake and paid news. At the same time, he expressed happiness over the UDF wresting power in the Kochi Corporation.

“In the next five years, the UDF will address the issues in Kochi and showcase good governance. The UDF’s victory in the Kochi Corporation is a major recognition from the voters,” he said.