Newly formed Stadium division set to witness a high-profile contest

Two first-time sitting councillors from the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are engaged in a tight fight in the newly formed Stadium division of the Kochi Corporation, where the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is also in the fray, making it a three-cornered contest.

Deepthi Mary Varghese, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary and permanent member of the All India Congress Committee, is taking on LDF-backed Independent George Nanatt in the division. J. Asokan, a social activist and former president of the Mamangalam branch of BDJS, is the NDA’s candidate.

Though both Ms. Varghese and Mr. Nanatt are sitting councillors, neither can claim a complete advantage since the Stadium division, created following delimitation, is a mix of their sitting divisions. Geographically, the division includes more areas from Ms. Varghese’s sitting division Karukappilli compared to Mr. Nanatt’s sitting division Karanakkodam, along with portions of the Palarivattom division.

LDF-backed Independent George Nanatt meets a voter in the division.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

The division has assumed high-profile status amid reports that if Ms. Varghese and the UDF win, she is likely to be made Mayor. Ms. Varghese, however, has downplayed the speculation, stating that her focus is on ensuring the victory of ‘Team UDF’. “A majority of areas from my sitting division have been included in the Stadium division. So, people already know me, and that gives me confidence in this election. Following the fire at Brahmapuram in 2023, I started an initiative called Bhumi Mitra near the stadium, with a capacity to treat up to 500 kg of biodegradable waste and convert it into manure, which is freely distributed among residents. A cafeteria was also planned alongside, though it could not be completed,” said Ms. Varghese, who had unsuccessfully contested from the Kunnumpuram division a decade ago.

Mr. Nanatt remains confident of winning the division. His confidence is bolstered by his success in breaching the UDF stronghold of Karanakkodam, which the party had held for three decades, in the last election. “The division, which is largely made up of Ms. Varghese’s sitting division, still does not even have an anganwadi, forcing residents to rely on neighbouring divisions. Stadium Link Road and the residential area of nearby Vasanth Nagar continue to be inundated during every spell of heavy rain,” Mr. Nanatt said.

NDA candidate J. Ashokan interacting with voters.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

Mr. Asokan, meanwhile, cites his personal experience as a resident of the division. “I have been a direct victim of frequent waterlogging, which has been consistently overlooked by both the incumbent councillor and successive LDF and UDF governing committees. Floodwaters have invaded my house on more than one occasion. Then there is the issue of stray dogs, which has forced me to stop my early morning walks. Both the BJP and the BDJS have pockets of influence in the division,” he said.

The newly formed Stadium division has an electorate of nearly 6,500.