​Kochi: VK Minimol, the Congress councillor from Palarivattom division, was elected Mayor of Kochi Corporation on Friday, winning by a decisive margin in a largely predictable contest. The four-time councillor and State vice-president of the Mahila Congress secured 48 votes, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Jagathambika Sudarshan, who polled 22 votes. The NDA candidate, Priya Prashanth, received six votes.

​The election proceeded strictly along coalition lines, with the UDF ensuring its victory without any cross-voting. Minimol’s tally of 48 included the 47 votes from the UDF bloc and the support of Bastin Babu, a Congress rebel who won as an independent from the Chullickal division.

Attention largely centred on senior Congress leader and KPCC General Secretary Deepthi Mary Varghese, who had publicly expressed dissent over the selection process earlier after she was not considered for the mayoral post. Speaking to the media before the election, Varghese adopted a diplomatic stance, stating she did not have any new “complaints” but pointedly remarked that she had not withdrawn her concerns regarding the alleged KPCC procedural violations in the candidate selection.

​“Today, it is a big day for all of us as the UDF is about to assume power in Kochi Corporation. I have already said what I wanted to say. But today, I don't want to comment on anything else,” Varghese said.

Inside the council hall, Varghese was seated in the front row. As District Collector and Returning Officer, G Priyanka announced the results, Congress councillors and party workers in the visitors’ gallery erupted in slogans celebrating the new Mayor.

​Varghese rose and walked up to Minimol, who was being felicitated with tricolour shawls. In a moment captured by photographers, Varghese draped a shawl around the new Mayor, and the two leaders stood together at the centre of the council hall, smiling.

​However, in a move that did not go unnoticed, Varghese did not remain for the oath-taking ceremony, leaving the council hall immediately after offering her congratulations.

District Collector G Priyanka administered the oath of office to Minimol, who chose to swear in invoking God’s name. Donning the traditional black mayoral gown, Minimol addressed the council, outlining her vision for the city.

​“As Kochi rapidly evolves into a metropolitan city with expanding infrastructure, welfare will be given equal priority,” she said, assuring that the new council would work to meet public expectations.

​After a brief meeting with party leaders in the Mayor’s chamber, Minimol returned to the hall. Dispensing with the customary greetings from members across the aisle, she requested councillors to reconvene at 2 pm for the Deputy Mayor’s election.

The proceedings began at 10.30 am with the District Collector reading out the relevant municipal rules. Nominations were placed for Minimol (UDF), Jagathambika Sudarshan (LDF), and Priya Prashanth (BJP). The ballot papers, arranged alphabetically, listed Sudarshan and Prashanth ahead of Minimol.

​Voting proceeded by division number, with Shiny Mathew from Fort Kochi (Division 1) casting the first vote and Manjula Anilkumar from Fort Kochi Veli (Division 76) casting the last. Following the official declaration, Congress workers burst crackers outside the Corporation office to mark the victory.

With the Mayoral election concluded smoothly, the council is set to elect the Deputy Mayor this afternoon. The UDF heads into this second vote having resolved a potential crisis with its key ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), by agreeing to allot a one-year term to IUML nominee TK Ashraf. This compromise ensured the League’s full cooperation in the morning session.