CPI settles for deputy mayor in Thiruvananthapuram

 

The CPI had raised the heat as it  demanded  the mayoral post for two-and-a-half years in the second  half of the council’s tenure.  However,  after several talks, the CPI agreed on Tuesday to settle for the deputy mayor post that has traditionally been its monopoly.

 

The CPI, which has won seven seats as against one  during  the  last election, bargained hard this time. CPI councillor Rakhi will be the deputy mayor candidate.

 

The LDF, which has won just 42 of the 100 seats, has only a slender advantage over the BJP which has 34 seats in the corporation.

 

The  BJP has also fielded  a young mayoral candidate, Mr Girikumar.   Ms Remya Ramesh is its  deputy mayor candidate.

 

The UDF which has 21 seats has no stakes but it is being closely watched whether there will be cross-voting  from the UDF camp in favour of the BJP’s mayoral candidate.

 

The Congress has not had a mayor in the city for a long time as the last UDF council in 1994 also had a CMP mayor.       

 

Meanwhile, the CPI was also given the deputy chairman post in Nedumangaud, one of the four municipalities in Thiruvananthapuram.