CPM zeroes in on SCMS professor Poornima as mayoral candidate

Kochi: Poornima Narayan, a social activist and professor of SCMS College, will be the CPM’s Mayor candidate for Kochi Corporation during the local body polls.

Reliable sources told DC that the party area committee had finalised Poornima’s name after several rounds of discussions. She will be fielded from Gandhi Nagar, a Left stronghold and the sitting seat of K.J Jacob, opposition leader in the present council.

DC had given an exclusive report about Poornima’s candidature for the coveted post the other day. Though the party considered Elamkulam for fielding Poornima, the sitting seat of Sojan Antony, CPM, it was later decided to change the division, according to sources. In previous elections, the party fielded a Christian candidate in Elamkulam division eyeing the Catholic voters.

There were reports that the CPM was focusing on preparing a panel of candidates rather than projecting a single person for the Mayor post.

Monamma Kokkad, former Women’s Commission member and a couple of women advocates and college professors from pro-left families were the names being discussed as the CPM’s possible Mayor candidates.  

Poornima, an academician, has vast experience in the social service sector and she has been working among women belonging to the socially excluded groups, especially along the coastal areas and indigenous communities.