The Opposition staged a protest and walked out of the Kozhikode Corporation Council meeting on Tuesday (July 14) after the Mayor rejected an adjournment motion on the shifting of the Beach Fire Station to Meenchanda.
Mayor O. Sadasivan denied permission for the adjournment motion moved by Leader of the Opposition in the council, S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal of the United Democratic Front (UDF), saying the issue did not warrant urgent discussion. Mr. Sadasivan said only matters that had arisen after the council agenda was printed could be admitted as adjournment motions, and pointed out that the Beach Fire Station issue had been under discussion for more than a month.
The ruling triggered protests from UDF members. UDF councillor S.K. Aboobacker questioned the Mayor’s decision. As the Mayor allowed Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillor E. Sunilkumar to raise a calling attention motion, UDF members raised slogans and walked out within 10 minutes of the commencement of the meeting. They marched through the corridor raising slogans, before returning to the council hall. BJP councillors did not join the protest.
The council also discussed the poor condition of crematoriums under the Corporation. Councillors highlighted the state of facilities at West Hill, Puthiyappa, Mankavu and Smrithipatham on Mavoor Road, seeking their renovation.
The Mayor directed the Health Standing Committee to inspect all crematoriums in the city, assess their condition and submit a report. Based on the findings, the civic body will undertake renovation works in phases.
Councillors K.C. Shobita of the Congress and T. Raneesh of the BJP opposed a proposal to set up an open gym on the crematorium premises.
Meanwhile, the council deferred three items on the agenda, including a proposal to shift the Palayam vegetable market to the new market complex at Kalluthankadavu.
The Corporation also decided to crack down on houses being illegally converted into hostels. Acting on a calling attention motion moved by Councillor C.P. Saleem, Mr. Sadasivan directed the Health and Revenue wings to conduct inspections.
During the discussion, councillors alleged that several houses in the city and its suburbs were being rented out as hostels, with even small houses accommodating a large number of occupants in violation of sanitation norms. They also pointed out that the establishments were paying only residential property tax instead of commercial tax, resulting in substantial revenue loss to the Corporation.
Published – July 14, 2026 09:08 pm IST
