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.
