Election of Congress vice-mayor in Kochi is shaped by factional equations, community balance

The post fell vacant after Deepak Joy resigned on May 13 following his election as Thripunithura MLA. | Photo credit: H.VIBHU

Caucus affiliations in Congress are shaping discussions about potential vice mayoral contenders ahead of the July 29 election.

The post fell vacant after incumbent Deepak Joy resigned on May 13, shortly after Thripunithura was elected MLA. It has remained vacant since then, prompting criticism from the opposition Left Democratic Front, which claimed it was stuck in an administrative impasse as the deputy mayor also chairs the corporation’s key financial standing committee.

The Congress had earlier allotted a split term of two-and-a-half years each to Mr. Joy and KVP Krishnakumar, who represent the ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions. A similar arrangement applies to the mayor’s post, with Congress councilors VK Minimol and Shiny Mathew sharing the post.

Mr. Krishnakumar, who chaired the meetings in the absence of the Deputy Mayor, entered the fray in view of his seniority and the fact that he had already been selected for the post on a split-term arrangement. However, the leadership of Group ‘A’, headed by former MLA K. Babu, insists on securing the post for the rest of the term. They argue that since Mayor VK Minimol belongs to the “I” faction, both prominent posts cannot be held by the same faction at the same time. Shiny Mathew of the ‘Me’ faction is poised to succeed her in a second term under a similar arrangement.

Several names are being considered within the ‘A’ faction. VR Sudheer, representing Elamakkara South division and a four-time councillor, tops the list of contenders. He is also the oldest among them. Other names being discussed include PD Martin, a two-time councillor, MG Aristotle, a three-time councillor, and Henry Austin, a two-time councillor.

Community considerations may also influence the choice. Since Ms. Minimol belongs to the Latino Catholic community, it is unlikely that the new deputy mayor will be chosen from the same community.

The Ernakulam District Congress Committee is yet to convene a parliamentary party meeting to discuss the issue.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 19:47 IST