Kozhikode district has always been a citadel of the Left parties, which enjoyed an upper hand in the elections to the panchayats, municipalities and the Kozhikode Corporation, even before the introduction of the three-tier local body system in 1995.
However, in a break from the past, the United Democratic Front (UDF) recorded impressive gains in the 2010 elections, when it bagged 34 seats in the 75-member corporation council and missed coming to power in the Kozhikode district panchayat by a majority of one seat. A combination of factors, such as the factional feud within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], formation of the Revolutionary Marxist Party, and the anti-incumbency against the then Left Democratic Front (LDF) government were cited as possible reasons for this scenario. It was claimed that the LDF could retain power in the corporation council only because Beypore, Elathur, and Cheruvannur-Nallalam grama panchayats were added to its jurisdiction.
Fronts hope for a repeat
While the UDF is hoping to repeat the 2010 performance in a better way and usurp power across all local bodies in the district, the LDF is confident of improving its tally in the 2020 polls. In the elections held five years ago, the LDF had won 18 seats in the 27-member district panchayat. In the 75-member Kozhikode Corporation council, it won 51 seats, while the UDF was reduced to 17 and NDA seven. In the 12 block panchayats, the LDF came to power in 10 and the UDF two. Of the 70 grama panchayats, it had a majority in 42. However, the UDF had an upper hand in the municipality elections, as it won Feroke, Ramanattukara, Koduvally, and Payyoli while the LDF could come to power only in Vadakara, and Koyilandy. In Mukkom, the LDF assumed office later with the support of an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) rebel.
This time, the LDF’s confidence stems from its well-oiled machinery and the State government’s development initiatives and social security schemes. The UDF’s “tie-up” with the Jamaat-e-Islami backed Welfare Party of India and the charges of sexual misconduct against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil are the other key issues highlighted in its campaign.
The UDF, meanwhile, is banking heavily on a perceived anti-incumbency feeling against the government, the gold theft case at the Sabarimala Temple, and the hike in taxes collected by the local bodies. However, the Congress is often found to be falling short on resources and a strong party machinery. Though the party is facing very few rebel candidates this time, its ally, the IUML, is grappling with some disgruntlement in its ranks.
The National Democratic Alliance is eyeing more number of elected representatives, especially in the urban areas. The BJP is also highlighting the Sabarimala gold theft case, but in a more subtle way, and is focussing more on development issues.
Published – December 09, 2025 10:33 am IST
