LDF, UDF lock horns over audit reports at Kochi Corporation Council meeting

With limited time remaining to present their respective arguments on the council floor and gain political mileage before the notification of the upcoming local body elections, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) engaged in a battle of one-upmanship over audit reports dating back to 2019.

While the LDF, led by Mayor M. Anilkumar, contended that the audit reports revealed corruption and profligacy during the previous UDF administration, the Opposition argued that the reports were tabled in the council in violation of the Kerala Municipality Act. Congress leader Antony Kureethara and UDF Parliamentary Party secretary M.G. Aristotle said that the audit reports should be presented at a special council meeting, accompanied by the secretary’s notes. However, the reports were instead bundled with over 150 agendas and supplementary items.

The LDF responded by accusing the Opposition of using the demand for a special council as a cover for their inefficiency. Mr. Anilkumar asserted that the audit reports highlighted serious irregularities, which the UDF was liable to respond to. “What is the UDF afraid of? During Tony Chammany’s tenure, audit reports were discussed in the general council. So, why insist on a special council now?” he asked.

The Mayor subsequently released a document listing the development projects undertaken by the LDF governing committee over the past five years. These projects, he claimed, were the result of effective planning, coordination, and fiscal discipline. Among the initiatives mentioned were K-Smart, Samridhi@Kochi, She Lodge, new Corporation headquarters, waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram, twin apartment complex at Thuruthy, housing project at Mundamveli for residents of the former P&T Colony, new Ernakulam market, and wellness centres.

The UDF, however, countered it by claiming that the LDF merely completed projects initiated by them and had not launched a single original project of their own. This further triggered a war of words between the two sides.