UDF nominee V.R. Sudheer sweeps aside rivals to become Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor
V.R. Sudheer of the UDF has been elected as the Deputy Mayor of Kochi Corporation, securing a comfortable victory over his rivals. The election process was marked by procedural strictness, including the disqualification of one councillor's vote due to a technical error.
Why it matters
The appointment impacts local governance and infrastructure management in a major Indian city.
The election of the new Deputy Mayor of Kochi Corporation unfolded with little drama, as United Democratic Front (UDF) nominee and four-time councillor V.R. Sudheer sailed past his rivals with a comfortable margin of 17 votes on Wednesday (July 29, 2026)
Mr. Sudheer secured 46 votes, while P.J. Yesudas of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) managed 21, and Jalaja S. Acharya of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received six. Given the UDF’s large majority in the 76-member council, the only surprise was an invalid ballot cast by LDF councillor Lavitha Nelson of Tharebagham division, who signed the paper without writing her name.
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