Kozhikode Corporation Council bids farewell as term nears end

The councillors of the Kozhikode Corporation for the 2020–25 term had an emotional farewell at the Corporation office on Friday (December 12, 2025), marked by mementos, a group photograph, and a high tea. The council had strategically chosen the day between the polling day and the counting day of the local body elections. The current council will remain in power until the new council takes charge, possibly before December 20.

Mayor Beena Philip recalled the achievements of the council over the last five years, expressing her gratitude and respect for all the councillors who had made those achievements possible. She commended the support and camaraderie among the councillors, irrespective of political differences. She said there had been no complaints about any of the 75 councillors of the Corporation, a rarity, and expressed hope that the next council would surpass the achievements of the current one.

Several councillors from both the ruling front and the opposition spoke later. Ruling front councillors P. Diwakaran and S. Jayasree highlighted what they had learned during their term and the work they had been able to accomplish. Opposition councillors S.K. Aboobakker and K.C. Shobhita, however, expressed regret over projects that had not progressed as expected, including the parking plaza at Kidson Corner, and blamed the ruling front for delays and apathy in such matters.

Earlier, the council passed the annual financial statement (2024–25) of the Corporation. It also approved the resignation of two councillors, Alphonsa Mathew and K. Ramlath, who had stepped down a few weeks ago after deciding to contest the local body polls under the banners of other political parties. Ms. Mathew, formerly a Congress councillor, resigned to join the Aam Aadmi Party, while Ms. Ramlath, an IUML councillor, joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal.