Ahead of Modi’s Kerala visit, Kochi Corporation removes publicity materials welcoming PM citing ‘HC directions’

The Kochi Corporation on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) began removing boards and banners installed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across Kochi city publicising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

Health and revenue squads of the civic body swung into action even before Mr. Modi landed in Kochi for a series of programmes, including the formal launch of the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) campaign for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Mayor V.K. Minimol said the move was “not politically motivated” but carried out “strictly in compliance with Kerala High Court directions.”

The court has repeatedly pulled up the Corporation for failing to prevent defacement of public spaces by way of boards, flags, hoardings, and other publicity materials.

“The amicus curiae appointed by the High Court has been inspecting the city since morning, photographing publicity materials to be removed. This has nothing to do with politics. In fact, during Rahul Gandhi’s visit earlier this year, the Corporation fined the Congress ₹5.90 lakh after dismantling its publicity materials from public spaces,” she said.

Sudha Dileepkumar, BJP’s parliamentary party leader in the Corporation, who was at the Kaloor International Stadium for Mr. Modi’s function, said she was unaware of the removal drive.

Last month, the Corporation Secretary had issued a directive imposing a fine of ₹5,000 for each unauthorised installation, including flex boards, banners, flags, and hoardings, and warned that offenders could face cases. The order reiterated that all unauthorised publicity materials erected in public spaces and along roads would be removed, and fines imposed, in line with the High Court’s November 19, 2025 directive. The court had granted two weeks’ time to secretaries of all local bodies in the State to clear such installations and initiate action against those responsible. It also instructed the State Election Commission and District Election Officers to monitor compliance within their jurisdictions.

In January, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation had faced sharp criticism from the court for its alleged failure to prevent the proliferation of flex boards and banners across footpaths in the capital.