Political parties scramble to finalise candidates for low-stakes Ayyappankkavu bypoll in Kochi Corporation

The by-election to the Ayyappankkavu division of the Kochi Corporation will have little impact on the civic body’s governance, as the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) continues to enjoy a formidable majority. In the 76-member council, now reduced to 75 following the vacancy in Ayyappankkavu, the UDF commands the support of 47 members, including an independent. The main Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) remains restricted to 22, while the Bharatiya Janata Party holds six seats.

The by-election was necessitated after incumbent councillor and Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy stepped down following his election as Thripunithura MLA in the last Assembly polls.

The UDF received as many as 11 applications during the ward committee meeting held on Sunday (September 6, 2026), attended by Mr. Joy, T.J. Vinod MLA, and Dominic Presentation, Ernakulam UDF chairperson. Two former mandalam presidents of Ayyappankkavu -- Mohandas and Ajith -- have reportedly emerged as frontrunners. However, UDF sources remained tight-lipped about potential candidates. “The meeting decided to leave the matter to the District Congress Committee. Since the last date for filing nominations is September 10, a decision will be taken very soon,” said Mr. Joy.

The LDF is also in the process of finalising its candidate. “The Ernakulam Area Committee will convene on Monday and is likely to recommend names to the district committee,” said CPI(M) sources.

The BJP has chosen Bejoy K.D., co-convenor of the party’s district media cell, as its candidate. His candidature will be formally announced by the party’s State president, said K.S. Shaiju, president of BJP Ernakulam city district. This will mark Mr. Bejoy’s maiden electoral contest. He currently serves as president of his residents’ association and is also a member of the district hospital management committee.

In the local body polls held last year, Mr. Joy secured 54.62% of the votes, defeating his nearest rival, CPI(M) candidate Santhosh Joseph Poothullil, by 1,183 votes, further affirming Ayyappankkavu’s status as a strong UDF bastion since the turn of the millennium. In the 2020 election, UDF’s Mini Dileep won the division after staving off a stiff challenge from Ashley Rose of V4Kochi, who finished second.