Kochi: Hours after senior Congress leader Deepthi Mary Varghese publicly questioned the UDF’s mayoral selection in Kochi Corporation, the coalition ran into fresh trouble on Tuesday, with key ally the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) accusing the Congress of sidelining it in the deputy mayor decision, turning the leadership announcement into a case of double trouble for the front.

The crisis erupted soon after District Congress Committee (DCC) president Mohammed Shiyas announced the UDF’s mayor and deputy mayor candidates, triggering backlash both within the Congress and from a coalition partner, and raising questions over consultation and internal coordination ahead of the mayoral election.

The IUML reacted sharply to the announcement of Congress councillor Deepak Joy as the deputy mayor candidate, claiming the decision was taken unilaterally despite assurances that the matter would be discussed with allies.

“We had already demanded the deputy mayor post. Letters were submitted directly to Opposition Leader VD Satheesan by both the district and state leadership at the UDF meeting held on Monday. The DCC president was also informed separately,” said TK Ashraf, senior IUML leader and councillor.

Ashraf said the League had been told that discussions on the deputy mayor post would be held at 5 pm on Tuesday. “But by 3.30 pm, the DCC president announced the mayor and deputy mayor candidates at a press meet. That is not right,” he said.

The IUML, which has three councillors in the Kochi Corporation, warned that denying the party what it termed a “rightfully deserving” post would have repercussions. The party has decided to formally complain to the Congress leadership and convened an urgent meeting of its district leadership on Wednesday to chart its next course of action.

The IUML’s protest came hours after Deepthi Mary Varghese, a KPCC general secretary, approached KPCC president Sunny Joseph alleging that party norms were violated in the selection of the mayoral candidate. While the UDF announced VK Minimol as its mayoral nominee, Varghese claimed that disputes over the post should have been referred to the KPCC.

“Whatever decision the KPCC has taken, I will obey that. But certain norms have been violated by the district leadership while taking the decision,” she said, adding that existing party circulars require priority to be given to KPCC members.

Meanwhile, DCC president Mohammed Shiyas dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the decision was unanimous and taken after considering established criteria. However, the back-to-back dissent, first from within the Congress and then from a key ally, has punctured the UDF’s attempt to project unity in Kochi.