LDF, UDF on the hunt for mayoral candidates in Kozhikode Corporation

With no clear majority in the Kozhikode Corporation polls, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, which emerged as the front runner but fell four seats short of majority, is facing a daunting task of choosing a Mayor and Deputy Mayor, given that the combined opposition of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will put up a strong front, one that is politically stronger than the ruling coalition.

Party leaders believe that civic governance is expected to be tough, especially when standing committee decisions, particularly those on financial matters and public works, require the approval of the council. The LDF will not be able to rule the Corporation without the support of at least a few councillors from either the UDF or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On the other hand, the UDF too has a strong case to argue about ruling the Corporation.

With the swearing-in of the new council scheduled for December 21, both the LDF and UDF are in the hunt for a candidate for the post of Mayor, as both have lost their most favoured candidates. LDF’s projected mayoral candidate C.P. Musafar Ahamed, the incumbent Deputy Mayor, lost from the Meenchanda ward, while UDF’s mayoral candidate, P.M. Niyas, KPCC general secretary, lost from Paroppady.

However, a day after the results came out, the UDF and the LDF are yet to decide on any names. While talks are on in the LDF camp, the names of the current Health Standing Committee chairperson S. Jayasree, former Deputy Collector E. Anitha Kumari and the current LDF council party leader O. Sadasivan are in the air. The UDF too has a number of candidates under consideration, such as current UDF council party leader K.C. Shobhita, C.P. Salim and S.K. Aboobakker, who defeated Mr. Musafar Ahamed.

District Congress Committee (DCC) president K. Praveen Kumar told the media here on Sunday (December 14) that the front will put up a strong fight for the post of Mayor. “We will not ask for the NDA’s support, but will accept if they extend it,” he said, adding that the UDF candidate for the Mayor’s post will be declared on Wednesday (December 17).