After multiple flip-flops since being elected as an Independent candidate from the Kalvathy division of the Kochi Corporation — following a rebellion against his party, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), in the last local body elections — T.K. Asharaf appears poised for another U-turn, claiming that he is set to return to the party after resigning as chairperson of the health standing committee.
However, the IUML district leadership has denied any knowledge of such a development, contradicting Mr. Asharaf’s claim that he has informed the party. While he admitted that he would step down as chairperson of the standing committee, he declined to specify when.
“I wanted to return to my parent party,” he said. Asked about the differences with the party during the last elections, he said such issues were natural in a large party and had since been resolved. However, IUML leaders dismissed reports of his imminent return as a personal campaign by Mr. Asharaf.
Refusing to be labelled as an IUML rebel, rather preferring to be called an Independent, Mr. Asharaf said he had worked for United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates in the last Assembly and Parliament elections as proof of his affinity.
He claimed that his support was instrumental in helping the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secure the Mayor’s chair after the last election. However, he insisted that his appointment as chairperson of the health standing committee was not a quid pro quo. “There were nine members in the health standing committee—four each from the UDF and the LDF. I was elected chairperson because I was acceptable to both fronts,” Mr. Asharaf said.
He was roped in by the LDF, which had emerged as the single largest front, to strengthen its hold on power on returning to office after a long hiatus. He was appointed chairperson of the health standing committee. However, cracks began to appear midway through the term, as Mr. Asharaf complained of being sidelined in committee affairs. The situation worsened following the major fire outbreak at the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant in 2023, after Mayor M. Anilkumar effectively took control of the committee’s operations.
Published – November 05, 2025 11:27 pm IST
