The All Indian Congress Committee has reportedly instructed state leaders to prioritise prominent and senior figures in the local body polls as part of a renewed strategy to boost Congress visibility at the grassroots level.
Published Nov 02, 2025 | 8:31 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2025 | 8:31 PM
K.S Sabarinathan
Synopsis: In a strategic bid to regain lost ground in the Kerala capital, the Congress has decided to field former MLA KS Sabarinathan as its mayoral candidate in the upcoming Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls. The move, seen as both calculated and bold, reflects the party’s hope that Sabarinathan’s contest from the Kowdiar ward will help revive its influence in the city and lay the groundwork for a stronger showing in the next Assembly elections.
Holding sway over more than one hundred wards and carrying the prestige of the Kerala capital, the mayor’s post in Thiruvananthapuram is no ordinary position. The title brings not only administrative power but also celebrity status, often making the mayor more recognisable than even MLAs.
Since the formation of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipality in 1920, and its elevation to a Corporation in 1940, the politics surrounding this post have always gripped the state’s attention. Each election here has been marked by fierce competition and high political drama.
In 2020, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation made national headlines when the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s [CPI(M)] Arya Rajendran became India’s youngest mayor at just twenty-one, surpassing Kollam’s Sabitha Beegum, who had held the record at twenty-three.
Arya defeated the the Congress-led United Democratic Front Sreekala by a margin of 2,872 votes, adding another milestone to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) decade-long control of the Corporation.
Now, as the local body polls approach, the UDF is eyeing a comeback with a bold move: fielding former MLA KS Sabarinathan.
Once a legislator from Aruvikkara who lost his seat in 2021 to the CPI(M)’s G Stephen, Sabarinathan’s entry into the municipal fray has sparked wide political debate.
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Office
The Congress has decided to field Sabarinathan from the Kowdiar ward. The decision was taken at a core committee meeting held at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office.
As his home division, Sasthamangalam, is reserved for women, Sabarinathan will contest from the neighbouring Kowdiar ward.
The All Indian Congress Committee has reportedly instructed state leaders to prioritise prominent and senior figures in the local body polls as part of a renewed strategy to boost Congress visibility at the grassroots level, according to party sources.
Insiders told South First that Sabarinathan’s candidacy is a calculated move to inject fresh energy into the campaign and attract urban and youth voters. His image as an educated and progressive leader is expected to appeal to professionals and middle-class voters in the capital city.
However, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph said he had not been formally informed about Sabarinathan’s candidature, noting that such matters are handled at the local level. “That’s a local issue,” he remarked.
The Congress’s decision to bring Sabarinathan into the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation could give the party a significant edge in the next Assembly elections, according to political ground researcher and Congress aide Mini Mohan.
“The mayor’s post in the capital is considered a glamorous and influential one, almost equivalent in stature to that of an MLA. That’s one of the reasons Sabarinathan also agreed to enter the fray,” she noted.
Mayor Arya Rajendran and husband MLA Sachin Dev.
Mohan said that while similar discussions were held regarding the Thrissur and Kollam Corporations, the chances of fielding a former MLA or a prominent leader from those regions are slim, as most leaders are eyeing Assembly tickets instead.
“The Congress’s idea of fielding those who lost in the previous Assembly elections is a major talking point. However, many of them, especially the more popular faces and young leaders, are reluctant to contest local body polls,” she added.
She also pointed out that Sabarinathan’s prospects in Aruvikkara have been a concern, with public sentiment reportedly not strongly in his favour.
Interestingly, Mohan observed a clear contrast between male and female leaders in the party. “Women leaders like Shanimol Usman and Bindu Krishna are ready to contest local body polls and then aim for Assembly seats. But for men, the focus is primarily on the Assembly first,” she said.
“This move doesn’t necessarily mean Congress will field more popular leaders in local polls elsewhere. Thiruvananthapuram is an exception. The capital holds a unique position and immense political importance,” she added.
One of the key reasons the Congress chose Sabarinathan to contest in Thiruvananthapuram is the party’s assessment that the CPI(M) is likely to field A Sampath as its mayoral candidate, according to Mohan.
A Sampath
A senior CPI(M) leader and legal expert, A Sampath has served as a Member of Parliament representing the Attingal constituency. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996, 2009, and 2014, and has held several important positions within the party.
If Sampath enters the fray, it could trigger a strong contest, prompting the Congress to bring in a formidable candidate like Sabarinathan.
Apart from Sampath, SP Deepak, SA Sundar, and Vanchiyoor Babu are among the CPI(M)’s probable candidates, while VV Rajesh and Karamana Ajith are likely to feature in the BJP list.
Meanwhile, Arya Rajendran is expected to stay away from the local polls. Whether she will be considered for an Assembly seat remains uncertain, as her husband, KM Sachin Dev, the MLA from Balussery, is also eyeing another term. Party insiders suggest that Arya’s chances this time are slim.
The Congress, which now holds only nine of the one hundred seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, is entering the contest with renewed vigour.
Determined to prevent the civic battle from turning into a straight Bharatiya Janata Party–CPI(M) fight, the party hopes to revive its presence through a mix of young leaders and experienced hands.
Seat allocation is nearing completion, with most ward-level arrangements agreed upon with allies.
The Congress leadership believes that Sabarinathan’s entry, combined with Muraleedharan’s organisational push, will help the party reassert itself as a major contender in the capital.
Selected Congress candidates:
Senior leader K Muraleedharan is spearheading the Congress campaign in Thiruvananthapuram district. With the UDF currently holding just ten seats in the Corporation—eight with the Congress and two with its allies—the leadership is under pressure to mount a strong comeback.
K Muraleedharan. (X)
After days of deliberation, the party released its first list of forty-eight candidates for the Corporation polls. Muraleedharan confirmed Sabarinathan’s candidature and expressed confidence that the UDF can reclaim control of the civic body.
Among the key names in the list are Johnson Joseph, the senior-most councillor, contesting again from Ulloor; DCC President Subash from Kinavoor; and former councillor D Anilkumar from Peyad.
Youth representation is also visible, with Neethu Raghuraman, State General Secretary of the Youth Congress, contesting from Pangappara; Anitha from Kudappanakunnu; and Vaishna Suresh, Kerala Student Union District Vice-President, from Muttada.
Muraleedharan said discussions with the Communist Marxist Party and Kerala Congress (Jacob) are complete, while seat-sharing talks with the Muslim League, Kerala Congress, and RSP will be finalised soon. The remaining names will be announced within two days, he added.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
