UDF nominates VR Sudheer as candidate for Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor election

VR Sudheer, a Congress councilor from Elamakkara South division, was blessed by Ernakulam DCC president Mohammad Shiyas after he was named the UDF candidate for the Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor elections scheduled for Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Four-time councilor VR Sudheer has been named as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate for the Kochi Corporation deputy mayor election scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, presided over by District Congress Committee (DCC) President Mohammed Shiyas, MLA, on Tuesday unanimously selected Mr. Sudheer, who represents Elamakkara South division. The post fell vacant after incumbent Deepak Joy resigned on May 13, shortly after Thripunithura was elected MLA. It has remained vacant since then, drawing criticism from the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF), which claimed it was in an administrative impasse as the deputy mayor also chairs the corporation’s key finance standing committee.

The LDF has fielded PJ Yesudas, representing Nasrathu division, while first councilor Jalaja S. Acharya, representing Thrikkanarvattom, will fight for the BJP. The result is expected to be a foregone conclusion given that the UDF has the support of 48 members, including one independent, in the 76-member House, while the LDF and the BJP have 22 and six members respectively.

The Congress had earlier awarded 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.

Although several names were initially considered within the ‘A’ faction, Mr. Sudheer remained the front runner throughout due to his seniority.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 22:57 IST