Kochi: Moving swiftly to diffuse a potential coalition crisis, the Congress has reportedly reached a compromise with Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) regarding the UDF's power-sharing arrangement in the Kochi Corporation. In a decision finalised Wednesday evening, the United Democratic Front (UDF) allotted a one-year term for the Deputy Mayor post to the IUML, effectively pacifying its key ally which had earlier threatened revolt. 

Sources within IUML said their veteran councillor T K Ashraf will assume the Deputy Mayor’s office for a period of one year under the new pact. This term is likely to commence after the initial tenure of the Congress nominee, Deepak Joy. Consequently, Deepak Joy’s term is likely to be curtailed from the originally planned two-and-a-half years to two years to accommodate the ally's demand. In that case, Congress's KVP Krishnakumar will become Deputy Mayor after Ashraf for the remaining two years. 

“The specific timing of the IUML’s one-year term will be decided by the UDF state leadership in consultation with the district unit,” IUML sources confirmed.

Meanwhile, Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) President Mohammed Shiyas said that it is not confirmed yet even though state-level talks between the Congress and IUML were held. “We are yet to receive any direction from the state leadership,” Shiyas said. 

The breakthrough came after high-level discussions aimed at preventing the district-level friction from spiralling. IUML National General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty held talks with Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan and UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash to hammer out the deal.

The intervention was necessitated after the IUML leadership expressed strong displeasure over the Ernakulam DCC’s initial decision to announce two Congress candidates for a split-term deputy mayorship, bypassing the League's claim entirely.

They claimed the decision was taken unilaterally despite assurances that the matter would be discussed with allies. IUML leaders had already demanded the deputy mayor post and letters were submitted directly to Opposition Leader VD Satheesan during the UDF meeting held on Monday. 

IUML 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 Mohammad Shiyas announced the mayor and deputy mayor candidates at a press meet. 

Out of the six IUML candidates who contested this time only three won, including Ashraf. 

 Ashraf’s return to the fold 
The selection of T K Asharaf as the Deputy Mayor-designate is a significant political reinstatement. A five-time councillor, Ashraf had rebelled against the party in 2020, winning as an independent candidate. He played a crucial role in LDF securing power in the corporation in 2020 and in return he was given the post of Health Standing Committee Chairman under the LDF regime.

However, he resigned a few days ahead of 2025 polls and returned to IUML and won the Kaloor North division, a challenging seat outside his usual stronghold - West Kochi. The party cited his administrative experience and successful electoral track record as the rationale for his nomination, setting aside his past rebellion to secure a crucial post in the corporation's governance.