For the first time in the history of the Kozhikode Corporation, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has an equal number of seats as the Congress.
The two major parties that constitute the United Democratic Front (UDF) have 14 seats each in the 76-member council, which has resulted in a major power play between them. The key posts in the council, to which the UDF has staked claim, have been shared equally between the two parties. However, the League is taking the lead for the first two and a half years.
The post of UDF council party leader has been given to S.V.S.M. Shameel Thangal, an IUML-supported Independent from the Areekkad division, while a Congress councillor will take the turn after two and a half years.
Similarly, the post of a standing committee chairperson available to the UDF has been given to Kavita Arun, another IUML-backed Independent from the Kommeri division. This post will be handed over to the Congress later. Offering key posts to Independents at a time when there are many others who contested under the ‘Ladder’ symbol of the IUML is a point of disgruntlement within the League.
On the other hand, Congress workers are not happy about the turn of events. The Congress has always had more seats than the IUML in the council. It had 17 seats (IUML- 11) in 2010, 11 seats (IUML- 7) in 2015 and 10 seats (IUML- 8) in 2020. Even with an equal number of seats, the Congress is forced to take a back seat this time, at least temporarily, to secure the UDF’s unity.
Published – December 21, 2025 09:45 pm IST
