Kozhikode district has all the time been a citadel of the Left events, which loved an higher hand within the elections to the panchayats, municipalities and the Kozhikode Company, even earlier than the introduction of the three-tier native physique system in 1995.
Nonetheless, in a break from the previous, the United Democratic Entrance (UDF) recorded spectacular features within the 2010 elections, when it bagged 34 seats within the 75-member company council and missed coming to energy within the Kozhikode district panchayat by a majority of 1 seat. A mix of things, such because the factional feud throughout the Communist Celebration of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), formation of the Revolutionary Marxist Celebration, and the anti-incumbency towards the then Left Democratic Entrance (LDF) authorities have been cited as potential causes for this state of affairs. It was claimed that the LDF might retain energy within the company council solely as a result of Beypore, Elathur, and Cheruvannur-Nallalam grama panchayats have been added to its jurisdiction.
Fronts hope for a repeat
Whereas the UDF is hoping to repeat the 2010 efficiency in a greater means and usurp energy throughout all native our bodies within the district, the LDF is assured of enhancing its tally within the 2020 polls. Within the elections held 5 years in the past, the LDF had received 18 seats within the 27-member district panchayat. Within the 75-member Kozhikode Company council, it received 51 seats, whereas the UDF was decreased to 17 and NDA seven. Within the 12 block panchayats, the LDF got here to energy in 10 and the UDF two. Of the 70 grama panchayats, it had a majority in 42. Nonetheless, the UDF had an higher hand within the municipality elections, because it received Feroke, Ramanattukara, Koduvally, and Payyoli whereas the LDF might come to energy solely in Vadakara, and Koyilandy. In Mukkom, the LDF assumed workplace later with the assist of an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) insurgent.
This time, the LDF’s confidence stems from its well-oiled equipment and the State authorities’s improvement initiatives and social safety schemes. The UDF’s “tie-up” with the Jamaat-e-Islami backed Welfare Celebration of India and the costs of sexual misconduct towards Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil are the opposite key points highlighted in its marketing campaign.
The UDF, in the meantime, is banking closely on a perceived anti-incumbency feeling towards the federal government, the gold theft case on the Sabarimala Temple, and the hike in taxes collected by the native our bodies. Nonetheless, the Congress is usually discovered to be falling brief on assets and a robust social gathering equipment. Although the social gathering is going through only a few insurgent candidates this time, its ally, the IUML, is grappling with some disgruntlement in its ranks.
The Nationwide Democratic Alliance is eyeing extra variety of elected representatives, particularly within the city areas. The BJP can be highlighting the Sabarimala gold theft case, however in a extra delicate means, and is focusing extra on improvement points.
Printed – December 09, 2025 10:33 am IST