Deepak Joy, the newly elected Thripunithura MLA, will submit his resignation as councillor, necessitating a by-election in the Ayyappankkavu division of the Kochi Corporation. Joy defeated K.N. Unnikrishnan of the Left Democratic Front by over 18,000 votes.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) will identify a replacement for Joy as deputy mayor, with the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) likely to make the decision. The Congress had earlier split the deputy mayor's term into two halves of two-and-a-half years each for its councillors Joy and K.V.P. Krishnakumar.

The DCC will decide whether to appoint a new councillor as deputy mayor or advance Krishnakumar's term. Congress sources indicated that advancing Krishnakumar's term is unlikely, but a final decision will be taken by the DCC in consultation with the Congress Parliamentary Party.

The UDF constituent Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had initially staked a claim to the deputy mayor's post for a year, but it was rejected due to the Congress' strong performance. The IUML's potential nominee, T.K. Asharaf, was accommodated as chairperson of the works standing committee.

The DCC is expected to announce its decision on Joy's successor as deputy mayor shortly, with the Congress Parliamentary Party set to meet to discuss the matter. The court will not be involved in this decision, but the UDF will need to ensure a smooth transition in the Kochi Corporation.