Deepthi Mary Varghese Responds to Poster Mockery in Kerala Politics

Kochi, India – Deepthi Mary Varghese, a Corporation Councilor who was considered a potential candidate for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kochi, publicly endorsed Muhammed Shiyas, the DCC President and ultimately selected UDF candidate, on Wednesday, March 18th. The endorsement came after Varghese had already taken steps to prepare for a potential candidacy, including printing campaign posters.

Varghese’s Facebook post, expressing support for Shiyas and urging voters to support him, was accompanied by a pointed response to a commenter who questioned the fate of her pre-printed campaign materials. According to a report in Manorama News, the commenter asked what should be done with the posters bearing the slogan “സർവം ദീപ്‌തം” (Sarvam Deeptham – meaning “everything is bright”), to which Varghese replied with a veiled reference to a previous election in Thrissur. She likened the situation to a supporter in Thrissakara who printed posters and wrote names on walls, only to find another candidate with a stethoscope arriving on election day.

Prior to the UDF’s official announcement of Shiyas as the candidate, Varghese had filed her nomination papers and printed a significant number of posters, anticipating a possible nomination. The posters featured the slogan “ഇനി കൊച്ചിയിയിൽ സർവം ദീപ്തം” (“Now everything will be bright in Kochi”) and identified her as the UDF candidate for the Kochi constituency, as reported by Truevisionnews.com and Marunadan Malayalee. She had reportedly been hopeful, particularly with the support of K.C. Venugopal, but indications later pointed towards Shiyas securing the nomination.

Varghese explained to media outlets that her preparations were based on positive signals from within the party. She stated that the decision to print posters was part of those preparations, and that she acted on the encouragement she received.

The incident highlights the internal dynamics within the UDF as it finalizes its candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The Ernakulam district Congress party is still in the process of selecting candidates for Kochi, Thrippunithura, Perumbavoor, and Vypin constituencies, with ongoing negotiations among potential candidates, according to Truevisionnews.com.